Mendoza pleads not guilty to murder charge from February shooting in De Queen    4/14/26

DE QUEEN – Another suspect in a February shooting that killed a 16-year-old De Queen boy has pleaded not guilty to charges.

According to court records, 21-year-old Tristan Mendoza was arraigned in the Sevier County Circuit Court on April 9 following his extradition from the McCurtain County Detention Center earlier this month. Mendoza pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, unlawful use of a firearm from a vehicle and two counts of first-degree battery.

He remains in custody at the Sevier County Jail in lieu of a $500,000 bond. Mendoza is scheduled to return to court for a pretrial hearing on May 28. If he maintains his not guilty plea, a jury trial is currently scheduled to begin June 24.

Kaytlon Huesca, 18, is also facing charges in connection with the incident. She was arraigned in late February and is charged with acting as an accomplice to commit first-degree murder and two counts of first-degree battery.

Huesca’s bond was reduced from $500,000 to $125,000 following a bond reduction hearing in March. She was released from the Sevier County Jail after posting bond and is scheduled to reappear in Sevier County Circuit Court on May 28 for a pretrial hearing.

A third suspect, a juvenile, has not been identified. The minor was last reported to be held in a juvenile detention facility, and authorities have indicated the case could be pursued in adult court.

Investigators believe the three suspects were involved in the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Jonathan Morales of De Queen around 9 p.m. on Feb. 2. Two other victims were also shot but survived.

The shooting occurred at a residence in the 200 block of Vandervoort Avenue, where investigators recovered numerous spent shell casings of different calibers. The De Queen Police Department said suspects were quickly identified following the incident, and authorities have stated the shooting is not believed to be gang-related.

All three suspects were arrested within 48 hours of the incident.

De Queen Schools looks to provide free meals to all students    4/14/26

DE QUEEN – De Queen Public Schools is launching an effort to provide free meals to every student in the district, following an announcement at Monday night’s school board meeting.

Superintendent Jason Sanders said the district plans to apply to the U.S. Department of Education to participate in its Provision 2 program, a federal school meal option that could allow all students to receive free meals regardless of household income.

Currently, all students in Arkansas are eligible for free breakfast through statewide legislation passed last year. If approved, however, the Provision 2 program would allow the district to provide free meals for its 2,300 students.

Sanders said the move is aimed at easing the financial burden on local families as costs for everyday necessities continue to rise.

“We understand things are tough right now,” Sanders said. “Fuel prices, grocery prices… it’s just hard to be a family in this economy. We’ve been looking for several years at how we can make sure every student who shows up can get a free breakfast and lunch each day.”

Provision 2 is a federal initiative administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture as part of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs. It allows schools with high percentages of low-income students to serve meals to all students at no charge.

Under the program, schools establish a “base year” centered around the percentage of completed free and reduced-price meal applications. That data is then used to determine federal reimbursement rates for up to four years. The provision also eliminatesthe need for families to reapply annually during that cycle.

Sanders said De Queen schools are well-positioned to qualify, as approximately 84 percent of students were identified as eligible for free or reduced-price meals last year.

For the district to fully benefit from Provision 2, Sanders said family participation in completing those meal applications in the 2026-27 school year is absolutely vital.

“We need one more year of everyone turning in those free and reduced lunch forms,” he said. “The number we lock in by October 1 will determine our reimbursement rate moving forward. This is the most important year that will set this up for potentially the next decade.”

If participation remains high, families would not be required to complete those forms again in future years under the program cycle.

Sanders told board members the district expects the program to be close to cost-neutral as federal reimbursements would cover most expenses.

“We’re hoping this is a wash financially,” he said. “If not, we’re prepared.”

Any shortfall he noted could be covered using the district’s food service fund rather than its general operating budget. Increased participation in school meals could also help offset costs.

“If more students are eating, that increases reimbursable meals,” Sanders said. “That helps drive down the overall cost.”

Monday night, the school board authorized the district to move forward with the application process. Sanders said more information will be shared with families in the coming months, particularly regarding the need to complete meal applications during the upcoming school year.

If federally approved, the program would remove a daily expense for many families and ensure all students have consistent access to meals at school.

“We think this will be a blessing to our families,” Sanders said. “It’s one less thing they have to worry about.”

Finally, Superintendent Sanders addressed an expulsion hearing held at last night's meeting during which a high school student was expelled for one calendar year – the most allowed under state law.

The board upheld the expulsion based on recommendations from school administrators as well as DQPD Chief Scott Simmons and Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kelly Plunkett, who attended the meeting. They said the student is a suspect in a criminal case and is facing charges of first degree battery and accomplice to commit first degree murder. The student was recently released on bail and hoped to attend classes as the case moves forward.

The identity of the student was not revealed, but Sanders said the decision to expel the student was based entirely on the district's commitment to the safety of its students and staff.

“We understand that safety is on the minds of everybody in the community, we've had several safety incidents in our community,” he said.

“We did, as a result of one of those, had a student tonight that we recommended to expel and the board upheld that. I think this is just another example of how our board and administration takes this seriously. Families want to know that their child is safe at school, and we understand that expectation, and it's our job to fulfill that.”

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the DQSB is May 11. Families in the district are reminded that graduation will take place on May 18 beginning at 8 p.m. at Leopard Stadium.

Officer-involved fatal shooting of suspect near Texarkana under investigation    4/14/26

TEXARKANA – The Arkansas State Police (ASP) Criminal Investigation Division (CID) is investigating an officer‑involved shooting that occurred Sunday evening, April 12, 2026, east of Texarkana.

At approximately 6:15 p.m., an ASP Trooper conducted a traffic stop on a GMC SUV traveling on State Highway 296. Prior to the stop, the Trooper confirmed that the driver, Tommy Ray Sevier, 46, was the subject of an active felony warrant. Officers with the Texarkana, Arkansas Police Department (TAPD), who were also familiar with Sevier and his warrants, responded to assist.

During the stop, the Trooper contacted Sevier and explained the reason for the traffic violation. Other officers arrived to assist. Sevier refused multiple commands to exit the vehicle. During the course of the interaction, shots were fired by both Sevier and a TAPD officer, and Sevier was shot.

Officers immediately rendered medical aid and requested emergency medical services, but Sevier died after being transported to a local hospital. The Arkansas State Crime Laboratory will determine the manner and cause of death.

CID Special Agents are conducting the investigation and will prepare a case file for the Miller County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The Prosecuting Attorney will determine whether the officer’s use of force was consistent with Arkansas law.  

Rotary Club awards co-Students of the Month Jake Martin and Katie Cooley    4/14/26

DE QUEEN – De Queen High School seniors Kathryn “Katie” Cooley and Jacob “Jake” Martin were named the April and May Students of the Month by the De Queen Rotary Club on April 13th.

Katie is a member of the Future Farmers of America chapter at De Queen High School and has earned three Purple Circle Awards. She showed a two-time Grand Champion Chianina bull in 2024 and 2025, a Grand Champion Hereford bull, and a reserve Overall English bull in 2025 at the Arkansas State Fair. She has served as secretary of the FFA Chapter for the past two years. 

Cooley has been on the livestock judging team for five years, including three years at the state level, and plans to attend Rich Mountain Community College where she has received a scholarship to be a part of the livestock judging team. She plans to major in agriculture science. She is also a member of 4-H, where she serves as a teen leader, photographer, and reporter. 

The daughter of Annie and Josh Cooley, Katie is a member of Kern Heights Baptist Church. She has served her community by helping set up a petting zoo for students, sponsoring children through the Angel Tree program, and volunteering in various church activities. 

“Younger students look at Katie as a role model”, high school principal Audrey Chandler said.

Jake Martin is a decorated athlete at De Queen High School. As the Rotary Cup co-recipient for the 2025 season, Jake earned all-conference honors all three seasons in his high school career. As the Leopards quarterback, Martin led the team in touchdowns his senior season. 

In basketball, Martin earned all-conference honors and was named Defensive MVP. He’s an all-conference catcher on the De Queen baseball team. 

Martin also excels in the classroom with a 4.08 GPA while earning 33 college credit hours. He’s a member of National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. 

The son of Jennifer and Dr. Kenneth Martin, Jake is active in the First Baptist Church youth group and has participated in mission trips to Colorado and to Louisiana. 

After high school, Martin plans to attend Arkansas Tech University, majoring in chemistry, with a minor in biology. He then plans to go to graduate school to earn a doctorate in pharmacy. 

“When Jake says that he puts God first, he really means it. All the kids look up to him”, high school principal Audrey Chandler said.

Householder sentenced to prison for 2025 sexual assault    4/14/26

DE QUEEN – A Sevier County man has pleaded guilty to a felony sexual assault charge stemming from an incident involving a minor last year.

According to court records, 65-year-old Edgar Householder of the Provo community entered a guilty plea on April 9 in the Sevier County Circuit Court to second-degree sexual assault, a Class B felony.

Householder was sentenced to eight years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections, followed by five years of suspended imposition of sentence. He was also ordered to pay court costs and will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release.

The charge stemmed from an investigation by the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division into an alleged incident involving a 16-year-old girl.

An arrest affidavit previously released by the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office stated that video recorded by other juveniles allegedly showed Householder kissing the victim and placing his hands on her. Authorities noted that family members reported the girl is diagnosed with autism and is incapable of providing consent. The video was submitted as evidence in the case.

The Sevier County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation and arrested Householder in connection with the incident in July of 2025.

Prescott School District coach suspended after allegations of inappropriate communications with minor    4/9/26

PRESCOTT – A Prescott School District teacher and coach has been removed from campus following an incident at a track meet in Nashville involving unconfirmed allegations of inappropriate communication with a minor.

According to the district, the situation came to light Tuesday during a track meet at Nashville High School, where the staff member was confronted on video by individuals associated with the social media group “Preds vs Prey..” The group’s stated goal is to expose alleged child predators and bring attention to potential criminal behavior, often broadcasting encounters live on social media platforms.

In a statement released by the district, officials said administration became aware of the video shortly after the confrontation.

“Once administration was made aware, the staff member was immediately removed from the premises, taken home by the District SRO, and notified that they were not to return until a meeting could be held this morning with the District Superintendent,” the statement reads.

District officials confirmed that meeting took place, and the employee has since been removed from campus pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation.

“The safety and wellbeing of our students is always our first concern,” the district stated. “Our investigation into the incident is ongoing. At this time, we are not aware of any of our students being involved, but that does not decrease the seriousness of the accusation or the need to be fully investigated.”

The identity of the employee has not been officially released or confirmed by the district.

Video circulating on social media shows two men confronting the employee at the meet and accusing him of sending explicit messages to a minor. The allegations have not been independently confirmed by authorities, and no formal charges had been announced as of Thursday.

School officials say they are limited in what information they can release due to the matter being personnel-related, but indicated additional updates will be provided as more details emerge.

Michael Collins takes helm as next president of Sevier County Chamber of Commerce    4/9/26

DE QUEEN – The Sevier County Chamber of Commerce is entering a new chapter in 2026 under the leadership of incoming president Michael Collins, who officially took the gavel from outgoing president Fernando Balderas during the Chamber’s annual Membership and Awards Banquet back in February.

Collins, who has lived in De Queen since 2017, said his commitment to community involvement has been central to both his personal and professional life. A native of Nashville, he moved to De Queen with his wife, Caitlin, a teacher in the De Queen School District, and quickly became immersed in local organizations and service efforts.

“I truly stepped in and haven’t stopped since I’ve been here,” Collins said. His involvement has ranged from ministry work to civic organizations and school-related activities.

Collins has served in a variety of leadership roles across the community, including as a member of the Rotary Club, the De Queen Leopards Athletic Booster Club, and the Downtown De Queen Revitalization group. He also previously served on the Sevier County Housing Authority Board and was president of the Rotary Club during its 2024–25 term.

Now in his second year on the Chamber board, Collins said he is stepping into the presidency with a strong appreciation for the team around him and the volunteer nature of the role.

“This is totally volunteer,” Collins said. “Nothing runs without the board. I’m the guy behind the podium, but the people on the board are the ones who make it happen.”

Collins assumes leadership during a period of transition for the Chamber, following the departure of longtime executive Suzanne Babb and the appointment of Veronica Ozura, who now serves in a dual role as both Chamber executive director and Sevier County's economic development director.

Collins said the transition has been smooth, crediting both Babb’s mentorship and Ozura’s experience.

“I got the best of both worlds,” he said. “Suzanne taught me everything I needed to know to be successful, and Veronica has always been there working alongside the Chamber. That’s made the transition a positive one.”

As president, Collins said his focus will be on strengthening communication with Chamber members and ensuring the organization remains visible and engaged within the business community.

“The goal is to support our businesses and help them be successful,” he said. “We want to give them exposure, but we also need to communicate with them and find out what they need and how we can help.”

He emphasized the Chamber’s role as both a support system and a resource hub, pointing to amenities such as meeting space and business tools available at the Chamber office, as well as promotional opportunities through initiatives like the “Sevierly Strong” campaign.

Collins’ guiding principle for the year reflects that collaborative mindset.

“You succeed, we succeed,” he said. “If it’s good for your business, it’s good for the community. And if it’s good for the community, it’s good for all of us.”

Looking ahead, Collins said his primary goal is to maintain momentum and set up future leadership for continued success.

“We’re in a transition period, so I want to help build something that lasts,” he said. “The people before me set the stage, and I want to keep that moving forward for the next group.”

Among upcoming Chamber events, Collins highlighted the annual Tri-Lakes Bass Tournament scheduled for May 23, which includes De Queen, Gillham and Dierks lakes and serves as a major draw for the region. Additional events later in the year include the Chamber’s Denim and Diamonds banquet and the annual Christmas parade.

Collins said he hopes to continue growing participation and engagement in those events while encouraging more local businesses to become Chamber members.

“If we’re not offering value, then it doesn’t mean anything,” he said. “But we want to show people why we’re here and how we can help.”

Two men arrested following routine traffic stop in De Queen    4/9/26

DE QUEEN – Two men were arrested on felony drug charges following a traffic stop in De Queen on Tuesday, according to an arrest affidavit released by the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities identified the suspects as Sammy Dean Wilson, 63, of De Queen, and Michael Shane Waterbury, 40, of Nashville.

According to the affidavit, a Sevier County deputy initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle on Stilwell Avenue near the railroad tracks after observing it had a broken taillight. The vehicle was reportedly registered to Wilson, who was also identified as the driver.

The affidavit states that the deputy was aware Wilson had both an active warrant in Sevier County and a suspended driver’s license. Upon approaching the vehicle, the deputy reported detecting the odor of marijuana coming from inside.

Wilson was asked to exit the vehicle and was taken into custody on the outstanding warrant. During a search, the deputy reported finding a syringe commonly used to inject methamphetamine in Wilson’s pants pocket.

A passenger in the vehicle, later identified as Waterbury, was also asked to exit. According to the affidavit, Waterbury admitted to having a marijuana vape device in his pocket.

A search of the vehicle reportedly uncovered additional items, including a McDonald’s french fry container behind the glove compartment that contained a clear baggie with a white crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine. Officers also reported locating a pipe and another syringe under the passenger seat, along with a separate baggie containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana.

Both individuals were then arrested and transported to the Sevier County Detention Center.

According to the affidavit, the suspected methamphetamine was later weighed at approximately 48 grams. Based on that amount, both Wilson and Waterbury are charged with possession of a controlled substance, a Class B felony under Arkansas law.

Umpire VFD fish fry fundraiser set for May 2    4/9/26

UMPIRE – The Umpire Volunteer Fire Department will host its annual fish fry fundraiser on Saturday, May 2.

The event will take place at the Umpire Fire Department, located at 15790 Highway 278. Serving will begin at 5 p.m., with an auction to follow. Dinner plates will include fish and chicken with all the fixings by donation.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will go toward vital equipment and training for the department and its volunteers.

Upcoming events at Cossatot River State Park    4/9/26

WICKES – A series of free programs are scheduled throughout April at Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area.

They include a Morning Power Hike this Friday, April 10 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at the Harris Creek Trailhead. The 3.5-mile loop is rated moderate to strenuous and will be conducted at a brisk pace.

On Saturday, April 11, two programs are planned: A Wildflower ID Hike will be held from 11 a.m. to noon at Cossatot Falls, followed by a Tree ID Hike from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Harris Creek Trailhead. Both hikes are rated moderate and focus on identifying native plant life.

A Track ID Station will be available Saturday, April 19, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Harris Creek Trailhead. The come-and-go program will teach participants how to identify animal tracks and signs.

The final program of the month, a Night Eyes Stroll, is set for Friday, April 24, from 8 to 9 p.m. at Cossatot Falls. The guided walk will focus on how animals see and move in the dark.

All programs are free and open to the public. Participants are encouraged to bring water, wear appropriate footwear and dress for outdoor conditions.

Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area stretches approximately 12.5 miles along the National Wild and Scenic Cossatot River and is known for its rugged terrain, scenic hiking trails and whitewater rapids. The park offers primitive camping areas, picnic sites and a visitor center with exhibits and year-round interpretive programs.

For more information, contact the park at 870-385-2201 or email cossatotriver@arkansas.com

Sevier County woman charged in Colorado for furnishing drugs to inmate    4/8/26

BRIGHTON, Colo. – Authorities in Colorado arrested a Sevier County woman last month in connection with an investigation into contraband at a detention facility.

According to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation began March 3 after officials received a report that a nurse was bringing “Spice,” a synthetic cannabinoid, into the Adams County Detention Facility.

Detectives identified the suspect as Stephanie Bagwell, 52, who has ties to Arkansas and is a resident of Sevier County.

Investigators allege Bagwell provided an inmate with paper soaked in synthetic cannabinoids while inside a secured area of the facility. She was arrested later that same night.

Officials said the case will be submitted to the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office for consideration of formal charges.

Bagwell had been working at the detention facility as a temporary nurse through a contract medical provider. Authorities said she no longer has access to secure areas of the facility.

Detectives also identified additional suspects during the investigation, including the inmate involved. Due to the ongoing nature of the case, their identities have not been released.

Bagwell is scheduled to appear in the Adams County Circuit Court later this month.

Fiesta Fest returns to downtown De Queen May 2    4/8/26

DE QUEEN – One of Sevier County’s largest annual events will return to downtown De Queen next month with the 11th annual Fiesta Fest on Saturday, May 2.

Hosted by the UA Cossatot Foundation, the all-day celebration will run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., featuring live music, cultural performances, food vendors, art and community activities, all while raising funds for student scholarships.

According to Erika Buenrrostro, UA Cossatot’s Director of Student Success and Enrichment and one of the event’s lead organizers, Fiesta Fest continues to grow thanks to strong community support and student involvement.

“This is the 11th year of Fiesta Fest, and it’s been an amazing 11 years,” Buenrrostro said. “We’ve got a full lineup for everybody to come and enjoy.”

Last year’s event marked the festival’s 10th anniversary and brought an estimated 4,000 people to downtown De Queen for a day of music, food and cultural celebration. The festival has grown significantly over the years, expanding from its early days at the UA Cossatot Amphitheater into a large-scale downtown event that now spans multiple blocks.

Fiesta Fest celebrates the diversity of Sevier County through music, dance, art and cuisine, while also serving a larger purpose. The festival is a fundraiser for the UA Cossatot Foundation, with proceeds supporting scholarships and financial assistance for local students.

Buenrrostro said that mission remains at the heart of the event.

“It all started because there was a need to raise money for student scholarships,” she said. “Some students don’t qualify for financial aid for various reasons, so this helps fill that gap.”

Students themselves play a major role in organizing and operating the festival each year, particularly through the college’s Student Ambassadors program.

“They’re the leaders of the college, and they’re actually the ones helping run this festival,” Buenrrostro said.

This year’s event will once again feature a full slate of live entertainment, including regional musical acts and cultural performances.

Headlining the festival will be Ilucianados from the Dallas–Fort Worth area. Also returning is Desgarre, a Northwest Arkansas group that performs classic soft rock music.

Cultural dance performances will remain a central part of the festival, including traditional groups and a new addition this year – the “chinelos,” a traditional Mexican dance performance that Buenrrostro said will offer something different for attendees.

In addition to music and dance, Fiesta Fest will feature a wide variety of food and craft vendors, as well as an art show and competition open to local artists and students.

“We’re really trying to promote our art show this year,” Buenrrostro said.

She added that entries are being encouraged from both community members and local schools.

A career fair is also planned as part of the day’s schedule.

Following its successful debut last year, the Fiesta Garden – a designated area allowing controlled alcohol sales within the festival grounds – will return in 2026. This was made possible after the De Queen City Council approved the city’s first ever temporary entertainment district. Local law enforcement agencies noted no incidents related to allowing alcohol sales at the event.

The move to downtown De Queen in recent years has also helped boost visibility for nearby businesses, with many participating as vendors or sponsors. Organizers say there are still opportunities available for businesses and individuals to get involved.

“We still have spots available for vendors and sponsors,” Buenrrostro said. “We’d love to have you.” 

Since its founding in 2002, the UA Cossatot Foundation has awarded more than $60,000 annually in private scholarships, helping students overcome financial barriers to higher education.

Fiesta Fest plays a key role in that mission, with proceeds directly supporting local students and expanding educational opportunities in the region.

Organizers say the event continues to bring people together to celebrate culture, support education and simply just enjoy a good time.

“We want everybody to come out, enjoy good food, good culture, good music and have some fun,” Buenrrostro said.

Fiesta Fest will take place May 2 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. in downtown De Queen. For more information, visit www.fiestafest.org or contact Buenrrostro at (870) 584-4471.

Chamber to host ribbon-cutting in De Queen for Family Fun Pools    4/8/26

DE QUEEN – The Sevier County Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon cutting ceremony for Family Fun Pools and Spas this Friday to help the business celebrate its grand-reopening ahead of the summer season.

The event is scheduled for Friday, April 10, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the business, located at 304 W. Collin Raye Drive in the Town North Shopping Center. The official ribbon cutting will take place at noon.

Chamber officials say the celebration will include free hot dogs, giveaways and family-friendly activities, with the public invited to attend.

Horatio teams defeat Dierks in softball/baseball action    4/8/26

HORATIO – The Horatio Lady Lions delivered an offensive surge Tuesday, rolling to a 23-2 victory over Dierks behind a standout performance from Hayli Lyon.

Lyon drove in five runs on two hits, including a three-run home run in the first inning and a two-run double in the second, helping Horatio seize control early.

The Lady Lions broke the game open in the top of the first inning, plating multiple runs on a combination of timely hitting and Dierks errors. Lyon’s three-run homer highlighted the inning, while Shalice Austin added a two-run triple. Additional RBIs came from Alissa Ayers, Ayla Lampi and Paige Williamson as Horatio quickly built a commanding lead.

Horatio continued to add to its advantage in the second inning, using a mix of hits and defensive miscues to extend the margin.

The Lady Lions put the game out of reach in the third, scoring eight runs on five hits. Natalie Dorsey doubled in a run, Williamson added another RBI double, and Lydia Craig capped the inning with a two-run home run to center field.

Williamson earned the win in the circle, allowing one run on two hits over two innings while striking out five and issuing no walks. Lampi appeared in relief.

Offensively, Horatio finished with 14 hits. Ayers, Lampi, Lyon and Williamson each recorded two hits, while Lampi also stole two bases as the Lady Lions totaled four stolen bases in the game.

Dierks was led by three players who each recorded one hit, with two of those accounting for the team’s RBIs.

The Lady Lions are not an amazing 16-3 on the season and their next contest is today as they host Woodlawn.

(This article was written using information and stats available through GameChanger)

Horatio Lions

A big third inning propelled the Horatio Lions to a 15-7 victory over the Dierks Outlaws on Tuesday.

Horatio broke the game open with a 10-run outburst in the third inning, capitalizing on timely hits, walks and hit batters. Grayson Pickett and Eli Vann each delivered RBI singles, while Tristan Thompson drew a bases-loaded walk. Maddix Edwards and Chevy Ayers were both hit by pitches with the bases loaded, forcing in runs. 

Graham Banhart added an RBI single, Casen Smith drove in two runs with a base hit, and a Dierks error accounted for two more runs in the inning.

The Lions got on the board first in the opening inning, scoring on an error.

Dierks responded in the bottom half to take a 2-1 lead, also aided by a defensive miscue.

Horatio regained the lead in the second inning, using another Dierks error to plate two runs and go in front 3-2 before breaking the game open in the third.

Banhart earned the win on the mound for Horatio, allowing three runs on three hits over three innings while striking out three and walking two. Pickett provided relief, tossing one scoreless inning with one strikeout.

Offensively, Horatio finished with 10 hits. Banhart and Judson Ray led the way with two hits each, while Banhart and Smith drove in two runs apiece. The Lions were also aggressive on the base paths, with Banhart and Knox Johnson each recording multiple stolen bases as the team totaled five steals.

Dierks collected nine hits in the contest, led by Peyton Boeckman, who went 3-for-4 at the plate.

(This article was written using information and stats available through GameChanger)

City of Lockesburg rescheduled Spring Fling to this Saturday    4/8/26

LOCKESBURG – The City of Lockesburg has rescheduled its annual Spring Fling celebration for this weekend, set for this Saturday, April 11, at the IMCS Park, after some ill-timed (but much-needed) rain this past week.

The event will still take place from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature a variety of activities, including giveaways and an Easter egg hunt.

A dedication ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. for the park’s new playground, flag pole, and pickleball court. Games and an egg hunt will beheld from following lunch.

Grand prizes for the event include four bicycles, one scooter, and Easter baskets for both a boy and a girl.

For more information, contact the City of Lockesburg at 870-289-3261.

Azulenny Ponce is 2026 recipient of Rotary Club's Crystal Award    4/7/26

DE QUEEN – The Rotary Crystal Award has been presented annually to the outstanding senior female athlete at De Queen High School since 2000. Past winners of the award represent top students and athletes spanning over three decades at De Queen High School.

At Monday’s noon meeting of the club at Micah 6:8, Rotarian Tammy Huddleston presented the award for the 2025-2026 school year to Azulenny Ponce. Azulenny has earned Top Doubles, Top Singles, and the Lady Leopard Pride Award during her three-year tennis career at De Queen High School. She has competed in basketball for six years.

As a member of the 2025 Lady Leopards state championship team, Azulenny was named the Most Improved Player. Ponce is also a four-year starting goalkeeper for the Lady Leopards soccer team, earning all-conference honors the past three seasons.

Azulenny is very active in various organizations at De Queen High School. She currently serves as president of the Student Council, Future Business Leaders of America, and the Technology Student Association, where she’s a three-time state champion in Photographic Technology.

She’s the vice-president of National Honor Society and has over 40 hours of community service. Ponce was the first runner-up in this year’s Miss D.H.S. pageant. She’s an active member of the First Baptist Church youth group and has participated in mission trips to Colorado and New Orleans.

Azulenny also excels in the classroom with a 4.1385 grade point average, and she scored a 23 on the A.C.T. Test. After graduation in May, Ponce plans to attend the University of Central Arkansas in Conway to pursue a major in Business Marketing and a minor in Entrepreneurship, followed by earning a master’s degree in business. Azulenny’s career goal is to work in sports media marketing or become a marketing manager. In addition, she plans to obtain her esthetician license and open her own business.

Besides performance in sports, The Rotary Crystal Award is also based on character, leadership, scholastic achievements, and participation in other school and community activities.

Light the City to host grand opening for The Center    4/7/26

DE QUEEN – A new community-focused and faith-based facility aimed at serving youth and families in Sevier County will officially open this weekend.

Light the City, a local faith-based outreach organization, will host the grand opening of “The Center” this Saturday, April 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The facility is located at 894 South Rockefeller Avenue in the former Mary and Martha Center near the Sevier County Fairgrounds.

The “Launch Day” celebration will give residents from across the area an opportunity to tour the building and take part in a wide range of activities designed for all ages.

Light the City founder Nic Matthews said preparations have been ongoing as the organization works to get the facility ready for the community.

“We’re excited. The building’s really coming together,” Matthews said. “It seems like every day there’s more coming into the building, and we’re just getting all set up.”

The grand opening will feature workout sessions, games, inflatables, food and recreational activities including basketball, volleyball and dodgeball. Organized workout sessions will be offered by age group throughout the day, though families are welcome to participate together.

Matthews said the long-term vision for Light the City and the new Center is to provide a safe, structured environment for local youth while also seeking to improve their physical and emotional well-being in an increasingly-digital world.

“Our goal is for it to be a safe place that kids can come and have fun,” he said. “We’ll have people there to mentor them – kind of a big brother, big sister type role – because a lot of kids are going through tough things these days and sometimes just need someone to talk to.”

Plans are also in place to expand The Center's programming in the future, including the possibility of an after-school program.

“That time between when school lets out and five o’clock, that’s when a lot of kids can get into trouble,” Matthews said. “We want to give them another option.”

The Center is an extension of Light the City’s broader mission to unite communities through faith while promoting physical, emotional and spiritual wellness. The organization focuses on outreach, service and addressing needs such as food insecurity and health disparities, with the goal of helping young folks lead healthier, purpose-driven lives.

Matthews said the idea for the facility had been years in the making, but came together after receiving the donation of the building.

“It’s kind of been a dream for a long time,” he said. “Everything just lined up, and we’re excited to see what it can become for this community. We can't be more thankful for this donation from the great women who ran the Mary & Martha Center.”

Saturday’s event is free and open to the public, and Matthews emphasizes that the event is completely free.

“It’s really just a community atmosphere,” Matthews said. “We want everyone to come in, check it out and see if it’s something that can benefit their family.”

For more information on Light the City and The Center, visit www.lightthecity.org.

Horatio FFA hosting annual bass tournament this Saturday    4/7/26

HORATIO – The Horatio FFA Chapter will host its 4th Annual Bass Tournament this Saturday, April 11, at De Queen Lake, with all proceeds benefiting the JD and Linda Vaught Scholarship.

The tournament will launch at safe light from the Oak Grove Boat Ramp, with weigh-in scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Entry fee is $80 per two-person team, and anglers may register the day of the event. Takeoff order will be determined by registration order.

Organizers remind participants that life jackets must be worn when the engine is above idle, no alcohol is allowed during tournament hours, and all state and local fishing laws must be followed. Fish must measure at least 12 inches, and a half-pound penalty will be assessed for any dead fish.

A total of $2,750 in cash prizes will be awarded. First place will receive $1,000, second place $750, third place $500, and fourth place $250. Additional prizes will be awarded through eighth place, including fishing gear and gift cards.

A $250 prize will also be awarded for Big Bass, sponsored by Prime Country Meats.

For more information, anglers can contact Collin Green at 870-904-9830 or McKenzie Seymour at 479-692-3897.

SCSO releases March activity report    4/7/26

DE QUEEN – The Sevier County Sheriff’s Office has released its activity report for the month of March, showing an increase in calls for service and overall enforcement activity compared to February.

Deputies worked a total of 2,052 hours on duty during the month and logged 28,271 miles. Total fuel usage was reported at 1,664.5 gallons.

Deputies responded to 159 calls in March, up from 106 calls in February. They also worked 18 motor vehicle accidents and conducted 221 traffic stops.

Of those stops, 36 resulted in citations while 192 warnings were issued.

A total of 25 arrests were made during the month, compared to 22 in February. Deputies also served 63 civil papers and completed 1,300 building checks along with four residential checks.

Investigators hosted a 40-hour Instructor Development Class in March.

The Horatio School Resource Officer handled four incidents at the elementary campus and six incidents at the high school.

Sevier County lifts burn ban    4/6/26

SEVIER COUNTY – Thanks to some much needed rain over the past few days, burn bans across the region are finally beginning to lift.

That includes Sevier County, where County Judge Sandra Dunn lifted the burn ban this morning. Howard County is also no longer under a burn ban. According to the Arkansas Forestry Division, a burn ban remains in effect in Hempstead County as of Monday morning.

Coolor temperatures are settling in this week, with highs in the low 70s and lows in the 40s over the next couple of days. Some additional chances of rain are expected beginning Friday and continuing throughout the weekend.

Horatio School Board seeking to fill two vacancies    4/6/26

HORATIO – The Horatio School District is seeking candidates to fill two vacancies on its Board of Directors, including the Zone 4 seat left open following the recent resignation of a newly elected member.

The district announced last week that openings exist for both the Zone 3 and Zone 4 positions. The Zone 4 vacancy comes after Justin Williamson resigned from the board on March 20, just days after being sworn in, following a dispute over his ability to continue serving as a volunteer softball coach while on the board.

The Zone 3 seat was held by Terri Irvan, who resigned last week.

District officials said the board will meet May 5 to appoint individuals to fill both positions. The meeting will be held in open session, and each candidate who submits a valid petition will be given at least five minutes to address the board.

To be considered, candidates must be qualified electors who reside within the zone they are seeking to represent. Applicants also must not have been previously removed from the board for failure to complete required training or as the result of a recall election.

Interested individuals are required to submit a formal petition declaring their intent to seek appointment. Petitions must include at least 20 signatures from qualified electors residing within the candidate’s zone, along with written responses to a set of candidate questions provided by the district.

Completed petitions must be submitted to the district office no later than April 25, which is 10 days prior to the May 5 meeting.

Blank petition forms and signature pages are available at the Horatio School District Administration Building, located at 204 Lawson Lane, or can be downloaded from the district’s website at horatioschools.org. District officials said candidates will receive written confirmation once their petitions are submitted and will be notified if additional steps are needed to validate their application.

School officials noted that serving on the board requires a commitment to supporting the district and community. Resources outlining board member responsibilities are available through the Arkansas School Boards Association.

The individuals appointed on May 5 will serve in a temporary capacity until the next school election.

UADA researchers spreading track of longhorned tick in Arkansas    4/6/26

By Ryan McGeeney, UAEX

LITTLE ROCK — For outdoor enthusiasts, the magic of spring is often tempered by the resurgence of chiggers, ticks and other nuisance insects. For researchers with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, the very pursuit of those creatures never really ends.

Kelly Loftin, extension entomologist for the Division of Agriculture, is part of a team including fellow Division of Agriculture researchers Emily McDermott, Elizabeth Smith and Jeremy Powell that has been tracking the spread of the Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) and two genotypes — genetic variants of a given organism — of the associated pathogen, Theileria orientalis, in cattle across Arkansas for several years. The study is funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture grant.

The Asian longhorned tick was first confirmed in the United States in 2017 and found in Arkansas in 2018. As of September 2025, it has been confirmed in 23 states, mostly in the eastern portion of the country but as far west as Oklahoma and Kansas, according to USDA.

In May 2025, the tick was confirmed in Arkansas in Benton, Boone, Independence, Searcy and Washington counties. The Theileria orientalis Ikeda genotype was confirmed in Arkansas, Baxter, Boone, Carroll, Marion, Searcy and Washington counties. The Theileria orientalis Chitose genotype was also confirmed in Boone and Baxter counties.

Loftin and his team responded to calls from cattle producers and extension agents throughout the rest of the year, collecting ticks and testing for Theileria throughout the summer, fall and winter. Confirmation of both the Asian longhorned tick and the pathogen continued to spread to more counties.

In February, Loftin and his co-researchers published an update, identifying the tick in an additional five counties as of September 2025 — Baxter, Carroll, Madison, Marion and Newton counties — bringing the total to 10. One or both genotypes of Theileria orientalis have been confirmed in 17 counties as of February. In an eighteenth county, Faulkner, Theileria orientalis has been confirmed without a determined genotype.

“We first started doing those maps in 2024,” Loftin said. “We’ve seen a pretty steady increase in confirmed counties for both the tick and the pathogen.”

Loftin said severe winter weather events, such as those experienced in Arkansas and surrounding states in January, don’t diminish the Asian longhorned tick populations — they simply become less active.

“The ticks become somewhat less active, hunkering down in leaf litter or other protected areas,” Loftin said. “But as soon as warm weather returns, and animals are grazing again, the activity returns.”

Cows and other animals infected with Theileria display symptoms similar to those of Anaplasmosis, a common vector-borne disease in cattle. Those symptoms include weight loss, suppression of milk production, loss of appetite, lethargy, anemia, and more. Loftin said that in herds with higher infection rates, reproduction begins to become suppressed.

“Mortality is obviously an issue, but you also have to think about the fact that some of these cows aren’t producing calves,” Loftin said. “It's a significant loss to consider — beyond cow mortality, losses from abortions and stillborn calves along with cows failing to rebreed, the impact is both a loss of life and a hit to our producer's bottom line.”

There is currently no treatment for Theileria. Mortality rates in cattle typically range from 1 to 5 percent, although they have been recorded as high as 50 percent, according to USDA. The pathogen currently poses no health risks to humans.

If a farmer suspects theileriosis in one or more animals in their herd, they should draw blood from the animals and have it tested for Theileriosis orientalis, including both Ikeda and Chitose genotypes, Loftin said.

“The most reliable test is a PCR test that will identify the genotype,” he said, noting that the Division of Agriculture, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture Veterinary Diagnostics Lab and Kansas State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab can all designate specific genotypes.

“It’s also important for producers to minimize animal stress and treat other conditions, such as bacterial diseases, promptly,” Loftin said. “Keep a close eye on cattle during calving and weaning, as these are known stressors. Finally, establish an effective tick control program for your herd.”

Recommendations for controlling tick populations in animals more generally through pesticides can be found in the Division of Agriculture publication MP144, “Insecticide Recommendations for Arkansas.”

This work is supported by the Tactical Sciences for Agricultural Biosecurity program, project award no. 2024-67016-42397, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Arkansas law enforcement teaming up against distracted driving    4/6/26

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas law enforcement agencies are teaming up to remind drivers of the deadly dangers and legal consequences – including fines – of texting and other forms of messaging behind the wheel. From April 6-13, 2026, Arkansas law enforcement statewide will work together to enforce laws prohibiting distracted driving behind the wheel. These efforts come during National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and are part of the “Put the Phone Away or Pay” campaign.

Cell phone use, texting and other activities that don’t contribute to safe driving are all forms of distracted driving. In 49 states, as well as Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the Virgin Islands, texting while driving is illegal. According to NHTSA, in 2023 there were 3,275 people killed and an estimated additional 324,819 people injured in traffic crashes involving distracted drivers. However, data collection limitations show that these figures are likely lower than the real figures.

“Distracted driving, mainly cell phone use, remains a major contributor to serious and fatal crashes,” said Arkansas Public Safety Secretary Colonel Mike Hagar. “It is dangerous and illegal, and puts everyone on the road at risk. Our officers will increase enforcement and stop and ticket anyone who is texting and driving. If you drive distracted, you will face the consequences,” he said.

Safe driving can be adopted by these phone-free driving habits:

-Pull over and park in a safe location before using the phone to send or read a text message.
-Ask a passenger to be the “designated texter” and allow them to manage calls and messages during the drive.
-Avoid social media scrolling and any form of messaging while behind the wheel.
-Use “Do Not Disturb” mode to silence notifications.
-Drivers can put their phone in the trunk, glove box or back seat of the vehicle to break the habit of driving distracted.

For more information on distracted driving, visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/distracted-driving or call the Arkansas Highway Safety Office at (501) 618-8136.

Four States Fair returns this weekend in Texarkana    4/2/26

TEXARKANA – The 81st Annual Four States Fair is set to open Friday, April 3, launching ten days of rides, entertainment, and family-friendly attractions at the fairgrounds in Texarkana.

Running through April 12, this year’s fair carries the theme “Light Up, Let’s Go” and introduces a revamped midway experience, marking a significant change for one of the region’s longest-running events.

Fair organizers say the biggest update for 2026 comes with the addition of North American Midway Entertainment (NAME) as the fair’s new midway operator. The company, the largest traveling amusement provider in North America, brings an updated lineup of rides, games, and food options, along with a renewed focus on presentation and guest experience.

The midway is expected to feature modern thrill rides, expanded lighting displays, and an overall enhanced layout aimed at improving both visibility and flow for fairgoers.

In addition to the midway upgrades, several popular events are returning to this year’s fair schedule. Highlights include the Texarkana Mack and Volvo Trucks Demo Derby on April 4 and the Classic Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Gregg Orr Auto 4 States Rodeo. Live entertainment, along with a variety of food vendors, exhibits, and attractions, will be available throughout the event.

Organizers say the combination of new features and longtime favorites is designed to offer something for visitors of all ages while continuing to build on the fair’s legacy in the Texarkana area.

Advance tickets are currently available online through the fair’s website at www.fourstatesfair.com.

James Black's Bowie Knife Festival scheduled for April 24-25    4/2/26

WASHINGTON – The City of Washington, Arkansas, in partnership with Buck’s Maintenance Service Inc., the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana Foundation, Arkansas’s Great Southwest, and Historic Washington State Park, will host the 5th Annual James Black’s Bowie Heritage Festival on April 24–25, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The festival honors legendary bladesmith James Black, who forged the first Bowie Knife for Jim Bowie in Washington. Over two days, visitors will experience Arkansas heritage through hands-on demonstrations, skilled craftsmanship, and living history.

Events will take place throughout historic Washington, including the James Black School of Bladesmithing and Historic Trades, the W.P.A. Gymnasium, the Farmers Market Pavilion, the 1874 Courthouse courtyard, the Washington Methodist Church, and the Blacksmith Shop.

This year’s lineup features noted guests such as Bill Worthen, former director of the Historic Arkansas Museum and a leading authority on James Black, and JW Wiseman, a well-known bladed weapons demonstrator. They will be joined by world-class bladesmiths who will display their work and share the stories behind each piece.

Festival highlights include live forging challenges, a knife show, demonstrations, exhibits, and the James Black Arkansas State Cutting Competition Championship, organized by Mastersmith Jerry Fisk of Nashville, Arkansas, recognized as both a National Living Treasure and Arkansas Living Treasure.

Knifemakers and artisans will be on site selling and showcasing handcrafted blades and traditional folk art. Re-enactors will bring history to life by telling the story of Jim Bowie’s journey to Washington to commission his iconic knife.

Visitors can also step into the craft themselves with demonstrations at the James Black School of Bladesmithing and Historic Trades and the Blacksmith Shop, where the Bowie Knife legacy continues.

In addition to the bladesmithing focus, guests can enjoy historic building tours, surrey rides, food vendors, and activities for all ages in one of Arkansas’s most well-preserved historic communities.

A special exhibit of authentic James Black knives and antique Bowie knives, curated by Mark Zalesky, will also be on display.

Admission is free. Parking is $5.

For more information, visit bowieknifefest.com, @VisitWashingtonAR on Facebook, or call 870-648-5084.

Horatio teams sweep Cutter-Morning Star    4/2/26

HORATIO – The Horatio Lions picked up a big win Wednesday, defeating Cutter-Morning Star 22 to 3.

The Lions broke the game open with a huge third inning, scoring 12 runs to put things out of reach. Chevy Ayers and Grayson Pickett each had key hits in the inning, while Horatio also took advantage of walks and errors to keep the rally going.

Horatio got on the board early in the first inning, scoring multiple runs with the help of several walks, a base hit from Judson Ray, and a hit batter. They added to the lead in the second inning, with Ean Shipp delivering a two-run single.

On the mound, Graham Banhart got the start for Horatio, allowing just one unearned run over two innings while striking out four. Grayson Pickett came on in relief to help close things out.

At the plate, Chevy Ayers led the way with two hits and three RBIs, while Shipp also drove in three runs. The Lions showed strong plate discipline, drawing 12 walks in the game.

Cutter-Morning Star managed a handful of hits, with Bentley Gigerich, Brody Speers, John Hooper, Owen Calvi, and Jacob Smith each recording one. Speers and Hooper drove in the Eagles’ runs.

The Lady Lions added another win on Wednesday, defeating the Cutter-Morning Star girls 18-0 in softball action. They are now 15-3 on the season.

Newly-elected Horatio school board member resigns following special meeting    4/1/26

HORATIO – A newly elected Horatio School Board member has resigned just days after being sworn in, after the board voted 5-1 against allowing him to continue serving as a volunteer softball coach for the Lady Lions.

Justin Williamson was elected to Zone 4 on the Horatio School Board during the March 3 primary election, defeating incumbent Joshua Butler with 96 votes to Butler’s 55. Williamson was sworn in to the seven-member board during its March meeting.

Several days later, Williamson submitted his resignation at a specially called meeting of the school board on March 20 after five members declined to approve a resolution that would have allowed him to continue serving as a registered volunteer coach for the district. Williamson has spent the last three years as a volunteer coach for the Lady Lions softball team.

In an interview following the meeting, Horatio Superintendent Dr. Michael Odom said the school board cited Arkansas Code 6-22-105, which prohibits volunteers from serving on a school board unless specific approval is granted. That approval is valid for one year and can be renewed.

Five board members voted against the resolution: Terri Irvan, Elizabeth Walker, Gwen DeVasier, Joe Jones and Kristi Scott. Stephanie Carver voted in favor, while Williamson recused himself.

Williamson then submitted his resignation. No further vote or action was required for his resignation to take effect.

Odom said a number of individuals spoke in favor of Williamson during the March 20 meeting, which he described as civil but contentious. He said the board declined to grant the waiver based on “guidance we received from other school districts, the Arkansas School Boards Association and legal counsel.”

Odom added that such waivers are generally approved only in emergency situations and said the issue had been communicated to all parties prior to the meeting. He also noted that school officials have received some private feedback supporting the board’s decision.

However, while declining to discuss the situation in greater detail, Williamson said the board’s action was a mistake and argued that allowing a board member to serve in a volunteer capacity is not uncommon.

“They didn’t look into how many schools have this same situation,” he said. “It’s happened at De Queen before, it’s happening at Dierks now, Cutter, and other schools.”

Williamson also said he would not have allowed his role as a volunteer coach to influence his decisions as a board member.

“I told everyone I would not sign on to anything involving softball,” he said. “I was ready to sign a statement to that effect. And if the concern was over finances, the softball program raises all of its own money.”

Williamson added that he plans to continue volunteering for the Lady Lions softball program.

The school board has not yet responded to a request for comment on its decision.

The Zone 4 seat on the Horatio School Board is now vacant. The district has 90 days from March 20 to appoint a temporary member to serve until the next election.

Butch Lisenby wins Republican primary runoff for Little River County Judge race    4/1/26

ASHDOWN – Voters in Little River County have selected their Republican nominee for county judge following Tuesday’s primary runoff election.

Butch Lisenby secured the nomination with 740 votes, defeating Ricky Bowman, who finished with 540 votes. With the win, Lisenby advances to the November general election, where he will face Independent candidate Tracy Jones.

The winner in the general election will replace Larry Cowling, who declined to seek reelection.

Meanwhile, in a closely watched statewide runoff, State Senator Kim Hammer narrowly defeated Bryan Norris in the Republican primary for Secretary of State, earning just over 50 percent of the vote. Hammer will face Democrat Kelly Grappe in the general election this fall.

A total of 132 ballots were cast for that election in Sevier County.

Lockesburg man charged with violating sex offender registry requirements    4/1/26

DE QUEEN – A Lockesburg man is facing felony charges after authorities say he failed to comply with Arkansas sex offender registration requirements and violated conditions of his release.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed in Sevier County Circuit Court, Christopher Green, 33, is charged with failure to comply with registration and reporting requirements under Arkansas law, a Class C felony.

The Sevier County Sheriff’s Office reported that on March 24, deputies were notified by the De Queen Police Department that Green had been booked into the Sevier County Jail.

Authorities state that Green is listed as a Level 3 sex offender on the Arkansas Sex Offender Registry and has been registered since November 21, 2014. As part of his registration requirements, Green is required to report his residence and any changes of address.

Investigators attempted to verify Green’s listed address on TJ King Road but were unable to confirm that he was residing there. The affidavit notes that no one appeared to be living at the residence at the time of the check.

Officials later determined that Green had been staying at a different address in De Queen, where he was taken into custody by Probation and Parole prior to his arrest on March 24. Authorities say Green failed to notify the sheriff’s office of his change of residence, which is a violation of state law.

In addition, the affidavit states that Green was found in possession of a charged smartphone at the time of his arrest, which is also a violation of his release conditions.

Authorities noted that Green has prior convictions related to the sex offender registry and is aware of the requirements but continued to remain noncompliant.

Supporters say Issue 3 will bring new economic opportunities to local communities    4/1/26

DE QUEEN – Arkansas voters will decide this November on Issue 3, a proposed constitutional amendment that supporters say would give communities across the state new tools to attract businesses, improve infrastructure and address local needs.

The amendment would authorize the Arkansas Legislature to create economic development programs, including the formation of “economic development districts,” which could be established at the local level by cities, counties or partnerships between the two.

Gabe Holmstrom is working with the measure’s campaign, Arkansans for Strong Communities, and said the proposal is designed to give communities more flexibility in shaping their own economic future.

“This would allow the legislature to create economic development districts, and then once they set the rules, it will allow local communities across the state to offer certain incentives to bring in whatever it is that community needs,” Holmstrom said.

Holmstrom emphasized that those needs can vary widely from one area to another.

“The needs of one community are likely very different from the needs of another,” he said. He said communities could tailor a district to attract specific industries, housing or other amenities.

Supporters say Arkansas currently lacks many of the economic development tools available in other states. Holmstrom said nearly every surrounding state already allows similar incentive-based programs, putting Arkansas at a disadvantage when competing for jobs and investment.

“Arkansas and Arizona are alone where we don’t even have a toolbox,” he said.

Under the proposed amendment, local governments could create districts that use future increases in tax revenue generated within a project area to fund incentives, infrastructure or redevelopment efforts. Holmstrom said the measure would not raise taxes or redirect existing revenue streams.

“This is not a tax increase,” he said. “This is all about leveraging the increase in property and sales tax revenue when it comes into an area.”

Supporters argue the amendment could help address a wide range of local challenges, from attracting grocery stores in underserved areas to redeveloping vacant properties or supporting housing construction.

Holmstrom pointed to examples in other states, including façade improvement grant programs that help revitalize downtown areas by sharing renovation costs with property owners.

He also cited missed opportunities in Arkansas, including an Academy store that ended up across the state line due to the lack of available incentives.

“Now all the people from Mountain Home are driving over to West Plains, Missouri to go do their shopping,” Holmstrom said.

The amendment would also allow local oversight of any districts created, with boards made up of community stakeholders making decisions in public meetings, according to Holmstrom.

“This lets each community figure out what it is that they want, what the problems that they want to solve are, and then figure out a way to address that,” he said.

Critics of similar proposals in other states have raised concerns about the use of public funds to incentivize private development and the potential for uneven benefits across regions. However, supporters argue the measure simply gives communities the option to pursue projects if they choose.

Holmstrom said the amendment is ultimately about giving Arkansas communities the ability to compete.

“Every single state that touches Arkansas has the option,” he said. “Arkansas is at a disadvantage because we don’t have access to these tools.”

If approved, Issue 3 would not create any specific projects but would instead establish a framework allowing lawmakers and local governments to develop programs in the future.

Voters will consider the amendment as one of three issues on the statewide ballot this November.

Horatio, Lockesburg hosting Easter events this weekend    4/1/26

SEVIER COUNTY – Area families will have a couple of opportunities to celebrate Easter this weekend, with community events planned in both Lockesburg and Horatio on Saturday, April 4.

In Lockesburg, the city will host a Spring Fling celebration from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at IMCS Lockesburg City Park, located at 118 West Pine Street.

The event will include outdoor games, giveaways and an Easter egg hunt. 

Free hot dogs will be served from noon until 1 p.m., followed by a dedication ceremony at 1 p.m. for the park’s new playground, flag pole and pickleball court.

Games and prize giveaways are scheduled from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., with the Easter egg hunt set to begin at 3 p.m. Grand prizes will include four bicycles, a scooter and Easter baskets for both a boy and a girl.

For more information about the Lockesburg event, you can contact City Hall at 870-289-3261.

Meanwhile, in Horatio, First Baptist Church will host its annual Easter egg hunt Saturday morning.

The event begins at 10 a.m. at the church, located at 207 Hazard Street, and is free and open to the public. Families are encouraged to bring their own baskets.

Fourth annual Horatio FFA Bass Tournament returns April 11    4/1/26

HORATIO – The Horatio High School Chapter of FFA is gearing up to host its fourth annual Bass Tournament this spring in support of local scholarships.

The tournament is scheduled for April 11 at De Queen Lake. Check-in will take place at Oak Grove Landing. Entry fee is $80 per boat.

All state and local laws and regulations must be followed and there is a limit of two anglers per team. Day of registration will be accepted. Registration and boat check will begin at Oak Grove landing at 5 a.m. with the tournament to begin at safelight.

First place will get a 30 percent payout, 20 percent for second place and 10 percent for third place. Biggest bass will earn $250. All proceeds will go towards the JD & Linda Vaught Scholarship.

To register in advance, or for more information, call Horatio FFA Advisor McKenzie Seymour at (479) 692-3897 or Collin Green at (870) 904-9830.

Arkansas records 16-year high in boating fatalities in 2025    4/1/26

By Randy Zellers, Arkansas Game & Fish Commission

LITTLE ROCK — Seventeen people lost their lives while boating in The Natural State last year, the most recorded in a single year since 2009, according to the recently released 2025 Year-End Boating Accident Report compiled by Sgt. Sydney Grant, boating law administrator for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. The number of boating accidents also rose to 73, the most since 2020.

Grant says increases in boating accidents by duck hunters as well as hazardous conditions last spring on many streams and rivers from flooding were contributors to the peaks in accidents and fatalities last year.

“We had a lot of water and current in most of our streams and rivers from heavy rains,” Grant said. “So conditions were not good for people who weren’t familiar with navigating those conditions in those exact areas. Nine vessels involved in the 73 total accidents in the state were rented, including some on trout streams during those floods. This further indicates a level of operator inexperience with their craft and the setting. Forty-one of the 88 operators had more than 100 hours of experience boating, but that doesn’t mean they had experience with the craft they were piloting at the time of the accident or the conditions they faced.”

Grant explained that even experienced operators can misjudge the power of flowing water and its ability to pin a boat, or a person, to obstructions with thousands of pounds of force. When people make plans for a weekend trip and conditions aren’t favorable, some still choose to go forward with their float, which can lead to accidents and scary situations.

“It only takes a moment or two to get into a situation that is nearly impossible to pull yourself free from, so the main message is to be respectful of moving water and know your limits,” Grant said.

Grant also sees a concerning trend in the greater number of boating accidents related to hunting, particularly duck hunting.

“In 2024, we saw five reported boating accidents involving duck hunters, but that increased to 11 accidents in 2025, including one fatality,” Grant said.

The nature of the type of boating seen during duck season already intensifies the need for greater awareness, but hunters appear to be exceeding the limits of safe handling more regularly in the duck woods.

“You’re already boating during a low-visibility time of day, and you’re driving through flooded forests with stumps and hidden hazards,” Grant said. “Add in the competitive nature many of our newer hunters are engaging in, and some of our hunters are going way too fast for the conditions.”

It wasn’t only younger boaters involved in accidents, either.

“The age of operators involved in accidents averaged 44 years old, and operators involved in fatalities averaged 53,” Grant said. “This hammers home the importance of boater education, no matter how old you are.”

Motorboats made up a large portion of the vessel types involved in last year’s boating accidents, but pontoon boats, personal watercraft like Jet Skis and WaveRunners, kayaks, canoes and even stand-up paddleboards were all recorded in at least one boating accident. Only 33 percent of boaters involved in an accident were wearing a life jacket, and nearly half of those people were required to be wearing one because of their age or the type of vessel they were riding. Only one of the 17 victims of a fatal accident was wearing a life jacket, and none of the victims who died from drowning were wearing one at the time of their accident.

“Overall life jacket wear rate actually increased slightly in 2025, but we still have a long way to go,” Grant said.

Sevier County issues burn ban    3/26/26

DE QUEEN – Sevier County is joining a growing list of Arkansas counties now under active burn bans. In fact, roughly two-thirds of the state is now under a burn ban – including Howard, Hempstead and Miller counties – as shown by the checkered areas on this map.

The entire state is currently listed by the Arkansas Forestry Division as being at high risk for wildfires due to persistent dry conditions, gusty winds and unseasonably warm temperatures.

This marks the second March in a row that Sevier County has issued a burn ban. Last year was the first time in recent memory, and at the time, several longtime local firefighters said they could not recall a March burn ban in at least 30 to 40 years, or ever.

Please be careful, and remember – outdoor burning is prohibited until conditions improve and we receive some meaningful rainfall. Unfortunately, the forecast only provides a slight chance of rain over the next week, including a 20 percent chance Friday night and similar chances around the middle of next week.

UAC announces XC program to start this fall with Soto at the helm    3/25/26

By Jake Howard, UA Cossatot

DE QUEEN – The University of Arkansas Cossatot continues to grow its young athletic department, announcing Tuesday that UAC has added a cross country program, led by head coach Tony Soto.

With men’s basketball, women’s basketball, men’s soccer, women’s soccer and shooting sports programs already in place, they are now joined by another Colts program.

UA Cossatot Chancellor Steve Cole remarked “We are excited to get going with the addition of a cross country program to our athletic department. Cross country has a strong local tradition here and made the most sense as the next sport to add, bringing us to four sports in total. Tony Soto is the right person to lead our new program and we are excited to see what we can accomplish under his leadership.”

Athletic Director Stan Asumnu added: “I am proud to introduce Cross Country to our Athletic Program here at UA Cossatot. This program represents our dedication to providing diverse opportunities for students to compete, grow, and succeed both academically and athletically. We are thrilled to welcome Head Coach Tony Soto to our UA Cossatot athletics family. His passion for the sport, dedication to academic and athletic excellence, and ability to build a strong team culture make him the ideal leader for our cross-country program.”

Soto takes helm with ample experience in cross country, having run for De Queen High School.

Soto holds the fourth-best 5K time for state meets in Leopards history, at a time of 16:59.00, and was named All-State in 1999. Soto placed third at the 1999 Arkansas Indoor HS Championships in the 1,600m (4:48.71) and 3,200m with a time of 10:47.38.

Soto joined the National Guard in 2000, being deployed to Iraq in 2004-2005 & again in 2008 and was deployed to Africa in 2017. In total Soto completed 20 years of active duty and retired from the guard on July 31, 2024. He also currently serves on the De Queen School Board.

Soto, who expressed gratitude for his time running for De Queen Cross Country, said he is excited to start the program at UA Cossatot.

“When Coach Don Higgins first started the program at De Queen High School, I believe I ran for him the second year. Coach Higgins introduced me to cross country and I basically learned everything about the sport from him”

“I’m HONORED and EXCITED to start this journey on building the XC program in my hometown! We, the RUNNERS and I, get to be the first to build the foundation of something special here! We will TRAIN HARD but we will have FUN doing it!”

UAC Cross Country will begin action this fall, and as of now plan to mainly run in Arkansas and Oklahoma, with other race locations also possible.

Kern Heights members host work day at home of WWII vet    3/25/26

Football legend, former Leopards coach Sam Goodwin passes at 82     3/25/26

NATCHITOCHES, La. – Legendary football coach Sam Goodwin, 82, died Friday, March 20, 2026 in Natchitoches, La., following complications from a recent surgery.

The news came in a statement from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, where Goodwin was head coach for 17 seasons after leading Southern Arkansas University.

His connection to De Queen is locally well-remembered and much cherished, as he led the Leopards during the 2010-2012 seasons before returning home to Louisiana. His time coaching the Leopards included a thrilling 38-13 win over the Nashville Scrappers in 2011.

Outside of De Queen, he is also remembered as the most-winningest coach in the history of Northwestern State football.

“Northwestern State has lost a giant,” said Director of Athletics Kevin Bostian. “Coach Sam Goodwin’s ability to build winners on and off the field took the Demon football team to some of its greatest heights and its most memorable moments.”

In addition to the on-field All-Americans he produced, Goodwin also coached two Academic All-Americans, a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athletes, 42 first-team All-Southland Conference selections and 38 players who reached the NFL.

Goodwin spent two seasons as an assistant on the late Lou Holtz’ coaching staff at the University of Arkansas after a stellar nine-season run at Parkview High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he won 72 percent of his games and led the Patriots to five state championships.

He then spent two seasons as the head coach at Southern Arkansas University. He led SAU to a 3-6-1 overall record (1-4-1 in the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference) in 1979. The Muleriders were 6-5 overall (5-1 AIC) in 1980.

An alumnus of Pineville High School, Goodwin was a two-way player (offensive guard and defensive tackle) who was named team captain his senior year. Goodwin helped lead Pineville to the Class 2A state championship his senior year after returning from a broken ankle suffered earlier in the season.

Following his prep career, he played at Henderson State, beginning his Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame career. Goodwin earned enshrinement in the Arkansas hall for both his playing career and his success at the helm of Parkview.

During his Henderson State playing career – Goodwin later returned to his alma mater as athletic director after retiring from his coaching position at Northwestern in the summer of 2000 – Goodwin was a standout two-sport athlete.

An NAIA All-American selection in 1965 as a two-way player, Goodwin was the 1965 team captain for the Reddies’ football team and was a three-time conference champion in the discus, setting the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference discus record.

In addition to being selected as the Henderson State MVP in 1966, Goodwin was part of the AIC All-Decade Team as chosen by Dave Campbell’s Arkansas Football Magazine. He was enshrined in the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.

Local producers invited to haylage field day at Crescent B Ranch     3/25/26

DE QUEEN – Area cattle producers will have an opportunity to learn more about haylage and its potential benefits during an upcoming field day hosted by the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Research and Extension Office.

The Haylage Advantage Field Day is scheduled for Tuesday, March 31, at Crescent B Ranch, located at 181 Johnson Bridge Road in De Queen.

Haylage, a high-moisture forage that is baled and wrapped to ferment, has become an increasingly popular feeding option for livestock producers. Compared to traditional dry hay, haylage can offer improved feed quality, reduced weather-related losses, and greater flexibility during harvest windows. The field day will focus on these advantages, along with practical considerations such as production methods, storage, and feeding strategies.

Lunch will begin at 10 a.m., followed by an educational discussion. Field demonstrations will take place after lunch, giving attendees a chance to see haylage practices in action.

Lunch is provided by Farm Credit Services of America and the Sevier County Cattlemen’s Association.

Producers planning to attend must register by Friday, March 27, by calling (870) 584-3013. 

Cossatot VFD fish fry fundraiser this Saturday     3/25/26

DE QUEEN – The Cossatot Volunteer Fire Department will present its annual fish fry fundraiser and membership drive this weekend.

Residents of the Cossatot Fire District, along with anyone in the area, are invited to come by for an evening of food, music, fellowship and support for local first responders. The fundraiser kicks off at 5 p.m. this Saturday, March 28 at the fire station on Farm-to-Market Road.

The Cossatot Volunteer Fire Department hosts the event each year as one of its top fundraisers and to showcase the vital role filled by the department — one that is staffed entirely by volunteers.

Members of the Cossatot Volunteer Fire Department have previously stressed how thankful the department is for the community’s support and how important the annual fundraiser is.

Membership dues are $40, and those who pay during the March 28 fundraiser will receive up to three plates of fried fish with all the fixings. The menu includes fish, hushpuppies, fries, coleslaw, pinto beans, dessert and a beverage.

Those outside the fire district are invited to eat for $10 per plate. Any and all donations will be accepted and greatly appreciated, members said.

As always, the fundraiser will feature live entertainment, and attendees are invited to participate in the live auction that evening.

For more information, call Ashley Johnson Ortega at (870) 784-1360 or Wanda Stover at (870) 784-4347.

Those unable to attend can mail their membership dues to Cossatot VFD, 857 Highway 24 East, De Queen, AR 71832.

De Queen Rotary Club hosting free community wash day on Saturday     3/25/26

DE QUEEN – The Rotary Club of De Queen will host a free Community Wash Day on Saturday, March 28, offering laundry services to local families at no cost.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at El Rio Laundry Mat, located at 101 E. Stilwell Ave. in downtown De Queen.

According to organizers, Rotary members will provide free laundry services for up to two loads per family. The event is designed to help residents save time and money while also assisting families in preparing clothing for school and daily needs.

The service is part of Rotary’s broader focus on water, sanitation and hygiene initiatives, which aim to improve quality of life in communities through access to clean water and basic services.

For more information, individuals may call or text (870) 584-2550.

Sevier County Library Snippets     3/25/26

By Johnye Fisher, Sevier County Head Librarian

As most of you know, my time as head librarian is coming to an end. This role has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I have truly loved every part of my job, but the most meaningful moments have been seeing the joy on children’s faces when they receive their very first library card. There is nothing more fulfilling than knowing that children are reading, learning and growing.

I am deeply grateful to everyone who has supported me along this journey. Thank you for being a part of such a special chapter in my life. A retirement reception will be held May 1 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the library. Please come by and introduce yourself.

I would like to introduce Stephanie Haarmeyer as the new Sevier County Library director. Stephanie holds an MLS in elementary education and library media specialties. She is married to Kent and has three children, Brady, Kambree and Emery. Her hobbies include reading, watching her kids show pigs, cooking and spending time with friends and family. I have known Stephanie for many years and know she will bring new and positive things to the library system.

“April showers bring May flowers,” as the old saying goes. This proverb reminds us that difficult or unpleasant times often lead to positive and beautiful outcomes. It encourages patience and optimism, reminding us that better times are coming.

April 24 is Arbor Day, and trees are our friends. Arbor Day is a national holiday recognizing the importance of trees. The first Arbor Day was celebrated April 10, 1874, in Nebraska. 

On April 16, the library will host an Arbor Day program at 4 p.m. for children, and the first 15 kids will receive a tree to plant.

Library Tots is going strong at the library. Families are invited to join the fun every Tuesday at 11 a.m. for a special time designed just for little learners. Each week, children enjoy books, early literacy activities and hands-on fun in a welcoming environment. Library Tots helps young children build a love for reading while developing important early learning skills.

Horatio Library

Catherine at the Horatio Library says April is a time for “April showers bring May flowers.” Whether or not there are showers, the library will have plenty of books to bring you your own flowers of the mind. Garden books are also available to help you grow real flowers.

On April 21 and 25, the Horatio Library will celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day with gardening tips and seed packets to take home beginning at 1 p.m. each day. Participants are encouraged to bring their own pots. Potting soil and small plants will be provided.

The Needlecrafters meet each Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. Bring whatever you are working on and enjoy spending time with others who love to craft. The new community puzzle is coming right along, and everyone is welcome to stop in and add pieces. The adult reading challenge continues through the end of June, so there is still time to participate. If you haven’t already, stop by the library to pick up your challenge list. For more information, call or email horatiolibrary@yahoo.com

Lockesburg Library

The Lockesburg Library will kick off April with lighthearted activities in recognition of April Fool’s Day. Families are invited to visit for stories and good-natured surprises appropriate for all ages.

Later in the month, the library will recognize Earth Day and Arbor Day on April 22 and 23 with activities highlighting environmental awareness and community stewardship. Individuals who registered to receive a free tree are asked to contact the library to arrange a pickup time. Scheduled pickups help ensure an orderly distribution process and allow staff to prepare materials in advance. The library can be reached at 870-289-2233 for scheduling and additional information.

Gillham Library

April is here, bringing warmer weather. Flowers will soon be blooming, and hummingbirds will be back. It won’t be long until school is out, and the library has plenty of great books and DVDs for kids of all ages.

For younger readers, selections include Dr. Seuss titles and Jasper Rabbit’s Creepy Tales. Older children can enjoy the Agents of S.U.I.T.S. series, Big Nate: Big Red and several new nonfiction titles. For adult readers, new arrivals include The Crossroads by C.J. Box, It’s Not Her by Mary Kubica, Judge Stone by James Patterson, Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden and titles from Preston and Child’s Pendergast series. There is something for the whole family.

Dominoes are played every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Notary services are available on Tuesdays, and the library also offers copying and laminating services. Stop in and see Rhonda or Sonya at 207 N. 2nd St. on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. or Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., or call 870-386-5665.

Lockesburg man pleads not-guilty to murder charge in death of baby    3/20/26

DE QUEEN – A Lockesburg man charged in the death of an eight-month-old child entered a plea of not guilty during his arraignment hearing Thursday in the Sevier County Circuit Court.

Edward Scott Jr., 31, is facing a charge of first-degree murder following an investigation into the infant’s death last month. Bond in the case has been set at $500,000, and Scott remains in custody in lieu of bond.

According to the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were notified on Feb.5 of an unresponsive infant. The child was transported to Sevier County Medical Center, where she was later pronounced dead.

Sevier County Sheriff’s Office investigators responded to the hospital and initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death. The infant was transported to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for an autopsy.

Authorities say the Arkansas State Medical Examiner later ruled the child’s death a homicide.

Scott was taken into custody on Feb.12 and booked into the Sevier County Jail following an investigation by the sheriff’s office and Arkansas State Police.

Information has suggested Scott was the boyfriend of the child’s mother at the time of the incident.

Scott is scheduled to reappear in the Sevier County Circuit Court on June 25 for a pretrial hearing. If he maintains his plea of not-guilty, a jury trial is currently scheduled to begin July 15.

Upon a conviction, the crime of first degree murder carries a sentence of 10 to 40 years in prison, or life.

As with all criminal cases, the charge is an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Domtar announces Glenwood mill to restart this month    3/20/26

GLENWOOD – The Domtar sawmill in Glenwood is preparing to resume operations later this month after a temporary shutdown.

The company announced Wednesday that the mill, located on South Spur 8, will restart on March 30.

The facility, which employs more than 100 people, shut down in October due to market conditions, including a surplus of lumber, low prices and high interest rates.

Domtar says recent improvements in the market and customer demand have made it possible to bring the mill back online.

According to company officials, the restart will happen in phases over the next several weeks to ensure safe and reliable operations.

A company spokesperson says some employees have already been brought back to inspect equipment that has been idle since the shutdown.

The Glenwood mill produces southern yellow pine lumber and decking materials used in construction.

Domtar acquired the facility in 2023, following a major expansion project under its previous owner in 2021.

Local producer elected VP of National Cattlemen's Beef Association    3/20/26

Submitted by NCBA

GRANNIS – Scott Sullivan of Grannis, Arkansas, was elected as the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA) Region IV vice president during CattleCon 2026, held in Nashville, Tennessee, at the beginning of February. Region IV encompasses Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.

As a grassroots organization, NCBA regions provide a venue for cattle producers to discuss issues facing the cattle industry at the local, state, and national levels. Region vice presidents serve a two-year term and sit on NCBA’s Executive Committee, helping to lead the association and the grassroots policy-making process.

“I am honored to represent Region IV and continue working on issues that matter most to cattle producers. We have made incredible progress on tax policy and reducing burdensome regulations, but our work is far from over,” said Sullivan. “NCBA engages on issues to protect and preserve the U.S. cattle industry for future generations. Having worked on state and local policy issues as both a grassroots advocate and as an elected official, I know firsthand the positive impact NCBA has on our industry, and I am looking forward to continuing to generate policy changes that are beneficial for cattle producers.”

Sullivan served as the 2024–2025 Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association president and is currently the immediate past president on the ACA board. He serves on the executive committee for the Arkansas State Fair Board and has been actively involved with Arkansas 4-H and FFA on behalf of the cattle industry. He is also a former representative in the Arkansas State House.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is the largest trade association representing U.S. cattle producers, advocating on behalf of the industry in Washington, D.C., and across the country. Through its policy efforts, NCBA works on issues such as federal regulations, trade, tax policy, animal health, and sustainability, while also promoting beef to consumers through education and marketing initiatives. Its grassroots structure allows producers from across the nation to help shape policy decisions that directly impact the future of the cattle industry.

To learn more about NCBA’s grassroots policy process, visit ncba.org/policy.

Howard County 'wet-dry' petition comes to an end    3/20/26

By John Balch, Nashville News-Leader

HOWARD COUNTY – The group seeking to put a “wet-dry” issue up to Howard County voters has pulled the plug on the effort.

Developing Entertainment for Howard County (DEHC) announced last week, “With less than two months remaining before the May 5 deadline, we are unfortunately not where we need to be in terms of signatures to realistically place this issue on the November ballot. After careful consideration, we have come to the difficult conclusion that this effort will not reach the required threshold in time.”

The effort was spearheaded by Jessica Delozier and Gail Hearnsberger.

DEHC began organizing in December 2025 and, according to Delozier, there was “strong encouragement from many people in our community” for the wet-dry effort.

“Studies looking at Howard County’s economic activity estimate show that approximately $19.3 million in consumer spending leaves our county each year in categories like restaurants, retail and alcohol sales. Our goal was simply to give the voters of Howard County the opportunity to decide whether more of that economic activity should stay here at home and help support local businesses, jobs and tax revenue for our community,” according to a DEHC social media post.

“Although this effort will not move forward this year, we have learned a tremendous amount throughout the process. If this conversation returns in the future, the experience gained during this effort will provide a stronger foundation moving forward.”

The group also thanked the business owners, volunteers and supporters “who stepped forward to host petitions, gather signatures, and help start this conservation. Your willingness to support this effort meant a great deal to us.”

Former UAC star Terry Anderson starring for MM-bound High Point Panthers     3/20/26

By Jake Howard, UA Cossatot

HIGH POINT, N.C. – Former University of Arkansas Cossatot Colts Men's Basketball star Terry Anderson has been up to good things since his two years with UAC, as Anderson is leading the charge for the Big South Champion High Point Panthers, averaging 16.0 as High Point won the Big South and clinched an NCAA Tournament berth for the second time ever in their Division I tenure.

Anderson scored 109 points in his first five games and never looked back, setting program records for career points (905), points in a season (535, 2021-22), career points per game (21), points per game in a season (21.4, 2021-22) and points in a game with 40 as a freshman against Arkansas Baptist on March 1, 2021.

The Deer Park, Texas native had five games with at least 30 points, had 15 double-doubles and only scored below double digits twice in 43 games for Cossatot.

Anderson cited his time with the Colts as a key part in his development, helping him get to where he is today:

“My experience at UA Cossatot helped build the foundation for me to get to where I am today. It helped me to become stronger, faster, and more skill developed. Without starting at the JUCO level, I would not be the player I have worked to become. UA Cossatot is a great program for players to start at if they are looking to get to the next level. Special thanks to Coach Byrd, it’s always love for him.”

After his time at UAC, Anderson transferred to Lamar for the 2022-23 season making 16 starts before making 33 starts the next season, leading the Cardinals with 13.0 points per game, including 25 at Nicholls on Jan. 13, 2024.

Anderson then transferred to High Point, and averaged 4.5 points per game in 26 games off the bench in 2024-25 before becoming a starter in 2025-26. Anderson scored 31 on 10-14 at Radford on Jan 23, and was named the Big South MVP after averaging 18.7 points per game including 18 in a 91-76 win in the Big South Championship Game against Winthrop.

“It's exciting, I'm just thankful to be here, thankful for my family, thankful for my team, and let's just go win us a game!”

Arraignment today for Lockesburg man accused of killing eight-month-old    3/19/26

LOCKESBURG – A Lockesburg man charged in the death of an eight-month-old child earlier this year is scheduled to be arraigned today in Sevier County Circuit Court.

Edward Scott Jr., 31, is facing a charge of first-degree murder following an investigation into the infant’s death last month. Bond in the case has been set at $500,000, and Scott remains in custody in lieu of bond.

According to the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were notified on Feb. 5 of an unresponsive infant. The child was transported to the Sevier County Medical Center, where she was later pronounced dead.

Sevier County Sheriff’s Office investigators responded to the hospital and initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death. The infant was transported to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for an autopsy.

Authorities say the Arkansas State Medical Examiner later ruled the child’s death a homicide.

The sheriff’s office, working in coordination with the Arkansas State Police, continued the investigation and identified Scott as a suspect in the case. The findings were presented to the prosecuting attorney, and formal charges were filed earlier this week in the Sevier County Circuit Court.

Scott – reportedly the boyfriend of the child’s mother at the time the incident occurred – was taken into custody on Feb. 12 and booked into the Sevier County Jail.

As with all criminal cases, the charge is an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Sevier County primary election results by precinct    3/19/26

DE QUEEN – Voters across Sevier County cast ballots in the March 3 primary election, with results varying from precinct to precinct in several key local races.

A review of unofficial precinct-level results shows consistent countywide winners, with Matthew Webb securing the Republican nomination for Sevier County Judge and Erin Hunter dominating the Prosecuting Attorney race for District 9-West.

In the county judge race, Webb carried every precinct in the county, often by comfortable margins, particularly in rural areas. Webb received 1,454 votes countywide, or about 59 percent of the total, defeating Joe Vallee, who received 536 votes, and Charlie Tallant, who finished with 461 votes.

The prosecuting attorney race proved even more decisive, as Hunter swept all precincts and frequently earned more than 70 percent of the vote.

Meanwhile, the Republican primary for Sevier County Sheriff and Collector was the most competitive of the three races, with Chad Dowdle leading overall but facing stronger challenges from other candidates in several precincts. Countywide, Dowdle won the race outright with 1,254 votes, just over 50 percent of the total, avoiding a runoff election. Chris Wolcott finished second with 571 votes, followed by Rodger Ridley with 502 votes and Johnye Cooke with 142 votes.

By Precinct Results

De Queen North

De Queen North reported 179 ballots cast, with turnout just under 28 percent.

County Judge: Matthew Webb led with 54.1 percent, followed by Charlie Tallant (16.5 percent) and Joe Vallee (29.4 percent).

Sheriff/Collector: Chad Dowdle dominated with 52.6 percent, while Chris Wolcott finished second with 36.4 percent.

Prosecuting Attorney: Erin Hunter received 81.7 percent of the vote, far ahead of Clayton Tinkes (8.2 percent) and Jana Bradford (10.1 percent).

De Queen East

Turnout in De Queen East was lower, with 90 ballots cast.

County Judge: Webb led with 44.6 percent, followed closely by Vallee at 38.6 percent.

Sheriff/Collector: Dowdle again led with 44.6 percent, though the race was more competitive.

Prosecuting Attorney: Hunter secured 78.2 percent of the vote.

De Queen South

De Queen South reported 91 ballots cast.

County Judge: Webb earned 54.2 percent, maintaining a consistent lead across city precincts.

Sheriff/Collector: Chris Wolcott received 47.6 percent, with Dowdle at 36.9 percent, one of the tighter sheriff’s races in the county.

Prosecuting Attorney: Hunter led with 77.3 percent.

Bear Creek

One of the county’s higher-turnout precincts, Bear Creek reported 294 ballots cast (over 34 percent turnout).

County Judge: Webb led with 45.6 percent, with Vallee close at 35.5 percent.

Sheriff/Collector: Dowdle led with 48.6 percent.

Prosecuting Attorney: Hunter received 63.2 percent, her lowest percentage among precincts but still a clear win.

Clear Creek

Clear Creek recorded 333 ballots cast, with turnout above 36 percent.

County Judge: Webb dominated with 59.5 percent.

Sheriff/Collector: Dowdle led with 63.7 percent.

Prosecuting Attorney: Hunter posted one of her strongest showings at 72.5 percent.

Mineral

Mineral precinct saw 365 ballots cast, with turnout over 36 percent.

County Judge: Webb earned 45.5 percent.

Sheriff/Collector: Dowdle led with 50 percent.

Prosecuting Attorney: Hunter received approximately 74.6 percent.

Monroe

Monroe reported 320 ballots cast, with turnout nearing 36 percent.

County Judge: Webb led with 52.1 percent.

Sheriff/Collector: Dowdle received just under 50 percent.

Prosecuting Attorney: Hunter earned 73.3 percent.

Paraclifta

Paraclifta was among the highest-turnout precincts with 418 ballots cast (37.4 percent turnout).

County Judge: Webb posted one of his strongest performances at 70.2 percent.

Sheriff/Collector: Dowdle led with 49.3 percent.

Prosecuting Attorney: Hunter received 65.6 percent.

Red Colony

Red Colony had the highest turnout in the county at approximately 44.6 percent, with 457 ballots cast.

County Judge: Webb dominated with 79.8 percent.

Sheriff/Collector: Dowdle led with 50.8 percent.

Prosecuting Attorney: Hunter recorded one of her strongest showings at nearly 69 percent.

Key takeaways

Matthew Webb carried every precinct listed, with especially strong support in rural areas such as Red Colony and Paraclifta.

Erin Hunter swept all precincts in the prosecuting attorney race, often by large margins exceeding 70 percent.

The sheriff’s race was the most competitive, with varying results depending on the precinct, and Wolcott receiving the most votes in the De Queen South precinct.

Rural precincts consistently outpaced De Queen in turnout, with several exceeding 35 to 40 percent participation.

NWS confirmed tornado struck Sevier County on March 11    3/18/26

SEVIER COUNTY – The National Weather Service has confirmed that an EF-1 tornado touched down near the King community in Sevier County during the early morning hours of March 11.

According to survey results, the tornado occurred between approximately 1:12 and 1:14 a.m., producing estimated peak winds of 95 miles per hour. The storm carved a path roughly 0.53 miles long and reached a maximum width of 85 yards.

Despite the damage left behind, no injuries or fatalities were reported.

Weather officials stress that storms like this one can develop quickly, particularly overnight when residents are asleep and less likely to receive warnings.

Because of this, the National Weather Service strongly recommends having multiple ways to receive severe weather alerts. These can include NOAA weather radios, smartphone alerts, local media broadcasts and community siren systems.

The tornado was part of a broader stretch of severe weather across the region.

More storms moved through the region on Sunday, March 15, prompting tornado sirens in Sevier County and other parts of Southwest Arkansas. While no tornado has been officially confirmed from that system locally, the storms produced winds approaching 70 miles per hour.

In De Queen, those winds caused minor damage, including a billboard being knocked down along Collin Raye Drive.

Spring is historically the most active time of year for severe weather in Arkansas. Warmer temperatures combined with lingering cold air masses often create the unstable conditions needed for thunderstorms, large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes.

March through May typically marks the peak of tornado season across the state, with nighttime storms posing an increased risk due to reduced visibility and limited warning awareness.

Tornado Safety Tips

Emergency officials encourage residents to review and practice severe weather safety plans:

-Have multiple alert methods: Use weather radios, phone alerts and local media

-Identify a safe place: A small, interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building

-Avoid windows: Flying debris is a leading cause of injury

-Mobile homes are unsafe: Seek sturdier shelter immediately

-Keep emergency supplies ready: Include flashlights, batteries, helmets and sturdy shoes

-Stay weather-aware overnight: Enable emergency alerts and consider a weather radio with alarm

Following recent storms, forecasters say no additional severe weather is expected in Sevier County through early next week.

Instead, the area is expected to see a warming trend, with daytime highs climbing toward near-record levels this weekend.

Even so, officials remind residents that severe weather season is just beginning and preparedness now can make a critical difference when the next storm develops.

Dierks tops ranking of best Arkansas lakes for bass tournaments    3/18/26

By Randy Zellers, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

DIERKS LAKE – Dierks Lake in Howard and Sevier counties was recently announced by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission as the state’s top tournament fishing destination in 2025, according to the 2025 Arkansas Tournament Information Program Report.

The report is the culmination of hundreds of tournament records submitted to the Arkansas Black Bass Program through agfc.com. Biologists compile data on the numbers of anglers, number of fish caught, weights, and numbers of fish weighing 5 pounds or greater to develop key indicators of fishing quality. These indicators are then compiled into rankings for each body of water to help keep tabs on trends in tournament angling and offer anglers a peek into where they may want to schedule their next event.

While mainstays like Lake Dardanelle, Millwood Lake and Lake Ouachita continued to appear in the top rankings, Dierks snuck into the report for the first time and did so in impressive fashion. During the five tournaments that visited the lake in 2025, the average winning weight was 20.77 pounds. Anglers also brought 22 fish to the scales in excess of 5 pounds, despite the low number of overall tournaments and tournament anglers.

“At 1,360 acres, Dierks is one of our smaller reservoirs, especially of those created by the [Army Corps of Engineers],” Eric Naas, Black Bass Biologist for the AGFC, said. “It’s tucked away in southwest Arkansas, so it’s sort of a hidden gem, but local anglers really enjoy fishing there. This is just the first time we had enough tournament results to include it in the rankings.”

The next three lakes in the rankings have no problem with enough tournament results to be counted. Beaver Lake in northwest Arkansas ranked second in the state, Lake Ouachita in central Arkansas held third place, and Dardanelle was listed at fourth in the rankings. All three of these lakes see dozens of tournaments each year.

“We had from 19 to 41 tournaments recorded for each of these lakes, but that’s only a fraction of the actual tournaments that take place on them,” Naas said. “Lake Erling actually tied Dardanelle at fourth place, and it had eight tournaments last year, but I’d probably give the nod to Dardanelle simply because it’s more consistent throughout a larger number of events.”

Naas said another surprise from the 2025 tournament season was the surge in trophy-size bass catches during tournaments, including a massive 14.20-pound giant caught at DeGray Lake in December.

“Three of the five fish we worked with for the trial run of the new Legacy Lunker Program were caught during tournaments,” Naas said. “We also saw a huge increase in the number of big stringers that came to the weigh-ins, with 44 events reporting at least one five-fish limit weighing over 20 pounds. The time it took to catch a 5-pound fish decreased substantially as well; it was about 28 percent faster than in 2024.”

The Arkansas Tournament Information Program began in 1990. Naas says that even though the program has benefited anglers for 25 years, the Black Bass Team still has a hard time collecting information from many tournament directors. Roughly 85 percent of the results found on last year’s tournaments were the result of staff scouring social media and tournament organization websites for results.

“The program can be even better if we get more tournament organizers to submit details and fill in the gaps in the data,” Naas said. “The more results we get, the more we can analyze and submit to future tournament directors and anglers. Some results also help influence some of the decisions on management of the fishery if we see a steady trend over the course of a few years.”

Visit www.agfc.com/atip to see the complete report and reports from the last decade. Tournament directors can also find an online reporting form to enter their tournament information on this page to help generate future reports.

Recent severe weather a reminder for new alert notification system    3/18/26

DE QUEEN – Recent severe weather across Southwest Arkansas is serving as a reminder for residents to sign up for Sevier County’s new emergency notification system.

Sevier County Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Matt Webb said the county, along with the City of De Queen, has transitioned to the Regroup Emergency Alert Platform, which will now serve as the county’s primary system for delivering emergency notifications and important community updates.

The system replaces the former CodeRED mass notification service and allows officials to send alerts directly to residents through phone calls, text messages, email or the Regroup mobile app.

The reminder comes after a weekend of severe weather across the region. A fast-moving storm Sunday afternoon brought winds approaching 70 miles per hour, prompting a tornado warning for eastern Sevier County along with multiple other weather alerts. Last week, the National Weather Service confirmed that a tornado touched down in Sevier County during the early morning hours of March 11 in the King community.

Webb said events like these highlight the importance of having multiple and reliable ways to communicate quickly with the public when dangerous conditions develop.

Once registered for the Regroup system, residents may receive alerts about severe weather, emergency situations, street closures, missing persons alerts, trash route changes, public works updates and other community safety information.

Signing up for the service is free, but residents who were previously registered with CodeRED will still need to sign up again to continue receiving alerts under the new system.

To register, residents can visit:
https://seviercountyar.app.regroup.com/contacts/sign_up

Anyone needing assistance registering can contact Webb at 870) 582-5278.

Jonquil Festival returns for 58th year this weekend    3/18/26

WASHINGTON – One of Southwest Arkansas’ signature spring events is happening this weekend.

Historic Washington State Park will host the 58th annual Jonquil Festival Friday and Saturday, March 20th and 21st, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

The festival is one of the largest and longest-running events in the region, drawing visitors from across Arkansas and surrounding states to celebrate the arrival of spring.

Organizers say guests can expect thousands of blooming jonquils throughout the historic grounds, along with a full schedule of activities for all ages.

Visitors will be able to tour historic homes and museums, browse dozens of arts and crafts vendors, and enjoy live entertainment throughout the weekend. Additional attractions include a car show, the Rusty Wheels Engine Show, karaoke, and plenty of family-friendly activities.

Admission to the festival is free, with parking available for $5.

Historic Washington State Park is located about 20 miles east of Nashville along Highway 278.

GRANNIS – Cattle identification is essential for today’s ranchers and producers, and freeze branding is becoming a preferred method.

The Cooperative Extension Service will offer a freeze branding demonstration as part of a multicounty beef cattle workshop planned for April 2 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Triple S Ranch, 338 Polk Road 200, in Grannis, Arkansas.

Polk County Extension Agent Bryan Maye will discuss how to improve forages, and Ally Grote, extension beef specialist with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, will discuss how to evaluate replacement heifers and use Expected Progeny Differences (EPD), a tool used to gauge and improve beef cattle genetics.

Sevier County Extension agent Rex Herring will lead a hands-on demonstration of freeze branding techniques.

“It’s more important than ever to have your cattle identified, especially for what they’re worth,” Herring said. “If you put something permanent on them like a ranch brand, it will help deter theft.”

Herring said cattle producers have shown more interest in freeze branding for its benefits over fire branding.

“Fire branding is immediate, but with freeze branding, there is no damage to the animal’s hide. The negative is that it just takes a little longer.”

The process starts with clipping the animal’s hair and cleaning the skin. Brass irons are used to apply liquid nitrogen or a combination of alcohol and dry ice.

“If it’s done right, the process kills the pigmentation in the hair follicles, so that the hair grows back white.”

The workshop includes dinner provided by Farm Credit of Western Arkansas. There is no cost, but attendees are asked to RSVP for the meal count by calling Rex Herring at 870-584-3013 or Bryan Maye at 479-394-6018.

Find more trainings and information on extension’s Beef Production in Arkansas webpage.

Sevier County OEM announces new public notification system    3/13/26

DE QUEEN – The Sevier County Office of Emergency Management and the City of De Queen are now using the Regroup Emergency Alert Platform to help keep t community informed. This system will replace the former CodeRED mass notification system and will serve as the county’s primary public notification platform moving forward.

Signing up is completely free and ensures members of the public receive important alerts directly to their phone, email, or through the mobile app.

Once registered, you may receive notifications about:
• Severe weather alerts
• Emergency situations
• Street closures
• Missing persons alerts
• Trash route changes
• Local public works updates
• Community safety information

This system helps us communicate quickly with the public when it matters most.

If you were previously signed up for CodeRED, you will still need to register for the new system.

Sign up here:
https://seviercountyar.app

Anyone who needs assistance signing up can contact Sevier County OEM Coordinator Matt Webb at 870) 582-5278.

Arkansas poultry industry takes $200m hit from winter storm    3/13/26

By Ryan McGeeney, UAEX

LITTLE ROCK – The winter storm that hit Arkansas in late January caused an estimated $200 million in damage to the state’s poultry industry, according to a preliminary report from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.  

The March 3 report, “Preliminary Assessment of Statewide Poultry Industry Damage in Arkansas from the January Winter Storm, 2026,” was authored by Frank Seo, James Mitchell and Ryan Loy, all economists for the Division of Agriculture.   

The weather event, which brought as much as 12 inches of snow and 2 inches of sleet in some areas, was especially damaging to poultry houses and other structures. The authors gathered data from eight poultry integrators operating across the state, who reported total bird mortality losses valued at approximately $12.08 million and structural damage estimates ranging from $172.33 million to $202.06 million.  

According to statewide survey data collected by Cooperative Extension Service agents, 241 poultry houses were destroyed during the storm (including 32 in Sevier County alone), and an additional 91 poultry houses were damaged.   

The report estimated $26.83 million in foregone farmer income from the lost birds and $21.74 million in lost economic output under a one-year disruption scenario. Of that amount, about $5.83 million represents value added, meaning income that would have gone to farmers, workers, businesses, and governments in Arkansas, Seo said.  

The estimated statewide economic impact of the lost poultry production capacity was $48.26 million, representing the combined effects of “reduced poultry production capacity and associated disruptions across supply chains and household spending,” the report stated.  

The loss of production is estimated to reduce economic activity enough to support about 44 fewer full-time-equivalent jobs across the Arkansas economy, Seo said.  

“The biggest statewide hit is lost household income, especially grower pay and related wages, because that is what ripples into local spending,” Seo said.   

Between bird mortality and loss of production capacity, the report estimated a loss of $3.83 million in lost tax revenue to city, county, state and federal governments.  

Because the poultry industry is deeply enmeshed with other associated industries, the actual economic impacts will be felt across a broad swath of the economy. The report lists 20 industries likely to experience economic losses from the storm damage fallout, including transportation, grain farming, veterinary services and more.  

Seo said that any effects on consumers would likely be limited to regionally sourced products.  

“While the report does not model prices directly, any effects are more likely to be localized and uneven rather than a uniform statewide spike, since integrator supply chains can shift production across regions,” Seo said.  

On a positive note, the reconstruction and repair of damaged facilities is estimated to generate between $292.92 million and $343.45 million in economic activity, in turn generating between $29.76 million and $34.90 million in estimated tax revenue. Associated industries are also likely to benefit from reconstruction efforts, including transportation, wholesale machinery sales, restaurants and more.  

Seo said that the report’s findings highlight an infrastructure resilience issue for the poultry industry.   

“Commercial poultry production depends on continuous power and environmental control systems, including heating, ventilation and automated feeding,” Seo said. “The prolonged cold temperatures, snow and ice loads, and widespread power outages associated with the winter storm demonstrate how quickly infrastructure failures can cascade into production losses, reduced household income, job impacts and broader economic effects across the state economy.”  

This poultry industry analysis follows an earlier report that estimated the economic impact of the January storm on other aspects of the Arkansas agricultural industry, including an estimated $24 million loss to the state’s cattle industry.  

Fish fry benefit in Horatio this Saturday for Lofland family    3/13/26

HORATIO – Friends and family will host a benefit fish fry this Saturday, March 14 in support of Darren and Freida Lofland to help them cover treatment and travel costs related to a recent medical diagnosis.

The fundraiser will take place at 1 p.m. at the J.L. Walker Fellowship Hall in Horatio. Plates are available for $10 or by donation.

The event will also include an auction for desserts and other donated items. The fundraiser is being sponsored by the Horatio Fire Department and Old Center Church.

Organizers say Darren and Freida Lofland are longtime first responders and pillars of the Horatio community, and all support is greatly welcomed.

Local civic groups recognize March Students of the Month    3/13/26

DE QUEEN — Two De Queen High School seniors were recognized this for their academic achievement, leadership and community involvement as the March Students of the Month by the De Queen Lions Club and the De Queen Rotary Club.

Caleb Herweck was named the March Student of the Month by the De Queen Lions Club. Herweck transferred to De Queen High School during his sophomore year and has continued his education there since.

He is an active member of the National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Students and DQTV, and also competes on the school’s tennis team. During his time with the Leopards, Herweck has earned several tennis honors including All-Conference, Best Newcomer, Best Singles Player and Best Doubles Team.

Herweck has been involved with DQTV since the 10th grade and has received numerous recognitions through the program, including Top Academics and the Teacher’s Choice Award during his junior year. As part of the DQTV production team, he attended the Ozark Festival during his sophomore year, where the group won Best 30-Second Film.

That same year, Herweck submitted videos through the Arkansas Scholastic Press Association and received an award for Best Visual Effects. Through his work with DQTV, he also participated in a grant project that helped provide live streaming for Leopard basketball games.

Among his academic honors are the College Board Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award and the College Board School Recognition Award. During his junior year, he also received the Teacher’s Choice Award in College Algebra.

Outside of school, Herweck is a member of First Baptist Church, where he participates in the youth group, helps with a monthly food drive and volunteers his time to assist with livestreaming church services.

He is the son of Kathryn and Joshua Herweck.

Herweck will graduate in May with 33 college credit hours and plans to attend John Brown University, where he will major in film and minor in marketing. He has been awarded the Chancellor’s Scholarship, which covers half of his tuition, along with a $4,000 per year Film Scholarship and the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship.

Also recognized this week was Katherine Peppers, who was named Student of the Month by the De Queen Rotary Club.

Peppers, the daughter of Steven and Margaret Peppers, is a member of National Honor Society, FFA and the Technology Student Association.

As a freshman, she competed on the archery team, where she earned several honors including Rookie of the Year and induction into the 50 Point Club. She also served as a member of the De Queen cheer team from the ninth through the 11th grades.

Peppers is active in her church and community. She attends Old Center Church and participates in the First Baptist youth group, where she attends weekly Bible studies and volunteers in community service projects, including helping with Bingo at a local nursing home every other month.

She is also involved with the De Queen Homemakers group, where she helps support various community activities.

Peppers will graduate in May with her associate’s degree through the Leopard Launch program, earning a total of 51 college credit hours.

Following graduation, she plans to attend Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, where she will major in plant science. She has already been awarded the university’s Blue and Gold Scholarship.

De Queen Mayor Jeff Brown delivers 2026 State of the City   3/13/26

By Jeff Brown, De Queen Mayor

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.

Water Department

In 2025 the city’s water department treated 980.394 million gallons of water and pumped 890.416 million gallons into the distribution system to be used by city residents and businesses. Water department employees were responsible for installing 13 new meter connections, repairing 28 service lines, replacing 27 one-inch service lines totaling 675 feet, installing 1,400 feet of 6” water mains, repairing 21 water main breaks across town, and replacing 3 fire hydrants due to the age of the old ones.

In 2026 the water department will gear up for several big jobs that will ensure that the city’s water infrastructure will remain solid for several decades. Water department employees continue to train and get classroom hours to keep their water license certifications current.

Street Department

Street department employees stayed busy in 2025 replacing 9 old culverts that had collapsed under city streets due to age and poured concrete to build 3 new headwalls around the city to help make sure that drainage issues remain under control. 2026 will bring this same program as the drainage infrastructure continues to age.

Two streets were paved in 2025 which included 4th St. from Wilkerson Funeral Home to Hwy. 41 South and Rockefeller St. to the Sevier County Fairgrounds at a total cost of $420,000. Street department employees also hauled over 500 loads of brush and limbs around the city to help residents keep their property clean.

Parks Department

In the city’s parks department 2025 began with the annual Mini Hoops League playing the first 5 Saturdays in January. The league consisted of teams from De Queen, Kirby, Dierks, Caddo Gap, and Murfreesboro.

De Queen also hosted the annual Mini Hoops Tournament that brought in 25 teams in 4 different divisions from surrounding towns. In T-Ball the city was met with 6 teams consisting of 72 players. The Sportsplex hosted 15 tournaments throughout the year with extra attention paid to field work which improved the playing surface to accommodate all age groups. New LED lights were added to fields 1 and 4 completing the city’s lighting project.

All 4 fields at the De Queen Sportsplex now have new LED lighting making the field of play better and cutting down on energy cost. In May we hosted the annual Arbor Day event. The parks department hosted all 5th grade classes from De Queen and Horatio. City employees cooked 700 hot dogs for 350 people who attended the event.

The city planted an oak tree just south of the playground in Herman Dierks Park to commemorate the event. On July 3rd the Let Freedom Ring festival was a huge success. There was plenty of food from local nonprofit vendors and the band Two Story Radio provided entertainment to the large crowd.

A new pyrotechnics company, Big Boom Fireworks, provided a fantastic fireworks show that lasted 19 minutes. The city’s swimming pool and splash pad opened Memorial Day weekend and continues to be a favorite summertime activity for kids and adults of all ages.

Wastewater Department

2025 was a year that saw a lot of maintenance at the wastewater treatment plant. New motors and drives were installed on a couple of pieces of equipment and 452 preventive maintenance work orders were completed to ensure smooth operation at the plant. Wastewater treatment plant employees treated 910.235 million gallons of wastewater over the course of the year which was safely treated and released into Bear Creek.

1,150 feet of new sewer mains were installed along with 2 new manholes to prevent sewer blockages. Six new sewer taps were made and 11 sewer taps were repaired during the year. Wastewater employees also cleaned 5,000 feet of sewer right of ways to help with access to the sewer distribution system.

The City of De Queen wastewater plant continues to successfully treat water and stay within the allowable limits set forth by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality.

Fire Department

It was an active 2025 for members of the De Queen Fire Department. Firefighters responded to a total of 246 calls that consisted of 45 fires, 78 rescue calls, 54 special incidents, and 69 other calls such as false alarms, hazardous weather conditions, downed power lines, and natural gas leaks.

The fire department lost one volunteer firefighter to retirement but added 4 new volunteers to ensure that when residents need the fire department an adequate number of trained personnel will arrive to handle the issue at hand.

De Queen firefighters continue to put in endless hours training and work hard to provide services for the safety of our city.

Police Department

In 2025 the De Queen Police Department responded to 7,216 calls for service which was up by 327 calls from 2024. These calls consisted of accidents, citations, warnings, motorists assist, and warrants served.

There was a total of 27 DWI’s issued in the city limits of De Queen which was up by 4 from the previous year. The De Queen Police Department continues to oversee and train 14 Auxiliary Officers at De Queen Public Schools. Officers with the department completed a combined total of 2,155 hours of training that included, racial profiling, domestic violence, use of force, duty to intervene, active shooter, Narcan, and firearms training.

Val Kelley was hired as the city’s new Community Service Officer and has proved to be a tremendous asset to the force. In the coming year officers with the De Queen Police Department will continue to work hard for the citizens while providing the safety and security that the people of our great city deserve.

It is such 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 daily for our citizens so that we can all be proud to call De Queen home.

May God bless you all in 2026 and may he bless De Queen.

Harvest Regional Food Bank returns to Sevier County March 25   3/13/26

LOCKESBURG – Residents of Sevier County will have an opportunity later this month to receive free food assistance through a distribution hosted by Harvest Regional Food Bank.

Harvest Regional Food Bank will distribute TEFAP USDA Food Boxes on Wednesday, March 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The distribution will take place at First Baptist Church Lockesburg, located at 3466 South Camellia Street in Lockesburg.

Recipients are asked to enter the church to check in upon arrival. After checking in, participants should return to their vehicles and line up for distribution along West Magnolia Street and the church parking lot. The line will continue along West Magnolia to South Park Avenue and then north on South Park Avenue toward West Spruce Street.

Those receiving food boxes must bring a photo ID or proof of address to verify they are residents of Sevier County.

Officials say distribution will be limited to one box per household, with no more than two households allowed per vehicle.

The food boxes are provided through The Emergency Food Assistance Program, or TEFAP, a USDA program that helps supplement the diets of low-income individuals and families by providing nutritious foods at no cost.

Kindergarten registration now open at De Queen Primary   3/13/26

DE QUEEN – Parents of children entering kindergarten at De Queen Public Schools can now pick up registration packets for the 2026–2027 school year.

School officials say children must be 5 years old on or before Aug. 1, 2026 to be eligible for kindergarten enrollment.

According to De Queen Primary School Counselor Angela Lindly, registration packets have already been delivered to local preschools for students currently attending those programs. Completed packets from preschool students must be returned to their preschool by April 3.

Parents or guardians whose children do not attend a local preschool can pick up a registration packet at the De Queen Primary School office during regular school hours.

School officials emphasized that completing the registration folder does not fully register a child for kindergarten. All incoming kindergarten parents or guardians must attend Fall Registration on Tuesday, July 28, to finalize the enrollment process.

For the first time, the district has also opened online registration. Parents will be required to complete both the online registration and the paper forms. Anyone needing assistance with the online portion can contact Lindly at (870) 642-3100.

Families who live outside the district but wish for their child to attend De Queen schools must apply for School Choice by May 1. Applications are available on the district’s website at dequeenleopards.org.

Gas prices start to surge locally as Iran conflict continues    3/11/26

DE QUEEN – Drivers across Southwest Arkansas are beginning to feel the effects of rising fuel prices as global energy markets react to the ongoing conflict involving Iran.

According to the American Automobile Association, the average price for regular gasoline in Sevier County on March 11 was $3.095 per gallon, slightly below the Arkansas statewide average of $3.099 and well under the national average of $3.578.

Nearby counties are seeing similar prices, with the Little River County average at $3.332, the Howard County average at $3.101, and the Polk County average at $3.119.

Fuel prices have risen sharply in a short period of time. Just a week ago, the Arkansas average price was $2.702 per gallon, meaning drivers across the state are paying nearly 40 cents more per gallon than they were only days ago.

Despite the recent increase, prices remain lower than historical highs. The highest recorded national average price for gasoline occurred on June 14, 2022, when it reached $4.543 per gallon. At that time, diesel prices climbed even higher, averaging $5.401 per gallon.

Energy analysts say the recent spike is tied to the recent conflict involving Iran, which plays a major role in global oil production. Any disruption – or even the threat of disruption – to oil production or shipping routes in the region can quickly affect crude oil prices worldwide.

Those increases eventually filter down to drivers at the pump.

In addition to gasoline, diesel prices are also beginning to rise, which can have wider economic impacts since diesel fuels much of the nation’s trucking, agriculture and construction industries.

Agricultural producers are also watching the situation closely as concerns grow about rising prices for urea, a nitrogen-based fertilizer widely used in crop production.

Fertilizer markets are closely tied to global energy supplies, meaning geopolitical conflicts can quickly push costs higher.

Higher diesel and fertilizer prices could increase operating costs for farmers as spring planting season approaches.

Newly-appointed justice of the peace sits on first SCQC meeting    3/11/26

DE QUEEN – Newly appointed Justice of the Peace Tim Erwin attended his first meeting of the Sevier County Quorum Court on Monday, stepping into the role previously held by longtime District 9 Justice of the Peace Allan Gregory “Greg” Wright.

Erwin, a Paraloma resident, was recently appointed by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders to complete the remainder of Wright’s term, which runs through December 31, 2026.

Wright passed away in late December 2025, leaving a vacancy on the nine-member legislative body that oversees county ordinances, budgets and policy decisions. His service on the quorum court and involvement in local affairs earned him widespread respect across the county.

Erwin said following Monday’s meeting that his decision to accept the appointment was influenced in part by his relationship with Wright’s family.

“I know Al and Vicki very well,” Erwin said. “Good friends of ours, members of the Cattlemen’s Association in Sevier County. We’ve worked together on those projects.”

Erwin said he appreciated the opportunity to sit in on his first meeting and learn more about the work of the court.

“I’ve never been in politics,” he said. “But I enjoyed the first meeting, got a little insight to things going on in the county and really appreciate the work that these people do.”

The quorum court serves as the legislative branch of county government in Arkansas, responsible for approving budgets, appropriating funds and establishing county ordinances.

Erwin brings a long background in education and agriculture to the role. A retired high school principal from Ashdown, he also served as an athletic director and later worked as a school consultant with the Mineral Springs and Foreman school districts.

Now retired from education, Erwin raises registered Gelbvieh cattle and registered Quarter Horses. He and his wife have been married nearly 40 years and live in the Paraloma community, where he has spent most of his life. Their son works for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and their daughter teaches English at Nashville High School.

Asked about his priorities during his time on the quorum court, Erwin said he plans to follow the same philosophy Wright was known for during his years of service.

“As far as agendas, I don’t really have an agenda,” he said. “People first – the people of our district and the whole county. Sevier County is a great place to raise a family and to live. That’s what Greg believed and carried to this position.”

He added that maintaining county roads will remain an important issue for District 9 residents.

“I know Greg was also a great proponent of good county roads,” Erwin said. “When I talked to Al and Vicki about it, they said his deal was people first. That’s our goal.”

Monday’s meeting of the Sevier County Quorum Court was brief, but several important topics were discussed. During a report on the Sevier County Medical Center, Hospital CEO Stacy Dowdy said February was a slower month for patient traffic, though it was still higher than the same period last year. Among the patients seen were 423 in the emergency room, which she added has an average wait time of about 25 minutes.

Mike Branson of the hospital’s Board of Governors said the hospital netted approximately $75,000 in profit in January. February financials were not yet available.

Branson said the hospital now has a little more than $3 million in cash on hand while continuing to meet its loan and vendor obligations.

“We remaining cautiously optimistic, but year-to-year, our trend appears to be going up,” said Branson.

In other developments, Sevier County OEM Coordinator Matt Webb said FEMA has announced that Arkansas did not meet the threshold for federal assistance following the winter storm in late January. According to the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, that storm caused more than $224 million in damages statewide.

Damages to the poultry industry in Sevier County alone are estimated at between $10 million and $14 million.

Webb said the state may provide some assistance to affected counties and growers, but he expressed doubts that help would ultimately come through.

Finally, Webb said the county is preparing to launch a new mass notification system following the nationwide cyberattack on CodeRED. More details on the new system are expected to be available soon.

Horatio girls defeat Lady Leopards on the softball diamond    3/11/26

DE QUEEN – A big ten-run fourth inning was the difference as Horatio blew out De Queen 14 to 2 on the softball diamond Tuesday behind De Queen High School. 

The Lady Lions pounded out nine hits on the day. Paige Williamson had a triple, single, three runs scored, and an RBI. Pressley Sprick had two singles, two runs scored, three stolen bases, and an RBI. Natalie Dorsey collected two singles, two RBI's, and a run scored. Hayli Lyon hit a double, scored a run , and had an RBI. Shalice Austin collected a single and three runs scored. Hayden Billings added a single.

For De Queen, Jaden Valdez hit a pair of singles. Lynli Liggin and Kate Lindsey added singles. 

Paige Williamson earned the victory in the circle. Paige allowed two runs, both were unearned, on four hits. Williamson struck out eight and walked three. The De Queen starter, Evelyn Ponce worked the first three innings and was charged with the loss. Lynli Liggin pitched the final two innings for De Queen as the Lady Leopards fell to 3 and 1 on the season. 

SCSO releases February activity report    3/11/26

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

Deputies worked a total of 2,067 hours on duty throughout the month of February and clocked 21,510 miles. Total fuel used was calculated at 1,377 gallons.

Deputies received a total of 106 calls and worked 23 motor vehicle accidents and 216 traffic stops. Of those stops, 31 resulted in a citation with 168 warnings.

Twenty-two arrests were made in February. A total of 49 civil papers were served and deputies completed 1,376 building checks.

Investigators with the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office worked two sexual assaults, two deaths, one fraud case and taught a jailer class The Horatio School Resource Officer worked three incidents at the high school and two incidents at the elementary school.

Gillham man arrested for residential burglary    3/10/26

GILLHAM – A Gillham man was arrested Sunday following a reported break-in at a residence on Old Silver Hill Road, according to an affidavit released by the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded to the residence at 105 Old Silver Hill Road during the early morning hours of March 8 after receiving a report of a possible burglary with the suspect still on scene.

According to the affidavit, a deputy arrived and observed Dylan Tallant, 23, of Gillham, on the property. The incident was initially reported after individuals discovered someone had broken into their deceased mother’s home at the address. The reporting parties said they went to the residence and found that the front door knob had been damaged.

After entering the home, they observed signs that someone had been staying in the master bedroom. According to the affidavit, an extension cord had been run from the breaker box in the laundry room into the bedroom, and the breaker had been switched on to provide power to the cord despite the home’s breakers previously being turned off during remodeling work.

While the individuals were inside the residence, Tallant reportedly came to the front door and attempted to enter. When he found the door locked, he went around the house and climbed through a kitchen window, where he was confronted by the occupants.

Inside the residence, investigators reported observing disturbed bed sheets in the master bedroom, an extension cord running from the laundry room and two EZ Mart pizza boxes along with a bottle of hot sauce on the floor. Deputies also noted there was no running water at the residence and urine had been left in the master bathroom toilet.

After being read his Miranda rights, Tallant reportedly told deputies he had been staying inside a truck parked outside the residence and claimed he had permission to do so. However, he admitted he did not have permission to be inside the home and said he had used the extension cord to charge his phone and power bank.

Tallant also stated he had attempted to enter through the front door earlier in the day but found it locked and then climbed through the kitchen window, where he was confronted by the occupants.

According to the affidavit, Tallant also acknowledged he knew he was not supposed to be on the property and had previously been trespassed from the residence.

Tallant was arrested and transported to the Sevier County Detention Center.

He is charged with residential burglary, a Class B felony, and theft of property, a Class A misdemeanor.

Assistant fire chief of DQFD speaks at Rotary    3/10/26

DE QUEEN – At the March 9 De Queen Rotary Club meeting at Micah 6:8, De Queen Assistant Fire Chief and Code Enforcement Officer Jay Litchford discussed the Fire Department and his various other duties with the City of De Queen.

A licensed inspector for 13 years, Litchford oversees training, building codes, and permitting for the city. “De Queen goes by the state building codes. Plumbing and Gas codes were last updated in 2016, while the state building codes were last revised in 2021”, Litchford said.

Litchford pointed out that the codes are the same inside the city as well as outside the city. However, inspections aren’t conducted very often outside the city. Litchford advised using licensed contractors for work around your home.

The local fire department currently has 22 firemen, including five full-time firefighters on duty from 8 A.M. until 12 Midnight. The department responds to between 250 and 300 calls per year. 

If you receive a monthly water bill from the city, then your residence receives free fire protection from the De Queen Fire Department. A fire coverage membership for residences not on city water costs $100 annually.

The current I.S.O. rating for the City of De Queen is three. That compares to a range of six-to-eight some ten years ago. “The better I.S.O. rating saves citizens significantly on their home insurance premiums”, Litchford pointed out. 

As a community service, the De Queen Fire Department provides and installs smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in homes. “Any money that’s donated to the fire department goes to purchase these detectors that have about a ten-year life”, Litchford said.

“Carbon monoxide is caused by insufficient burning. It’s odorless, tasteless, and potentially deadly”, Litchford warned. 

There are nine fire departments in Sevier County. A mutual aid agreement is in place among the nine departments. “There are maps of the fire districts in the sheriff’s dispatcher’s office. The department that serves a location where a fire is reported responds first. If they then ask for our assistance, we help”, Litchford concluded. 

Litchford was introduced by Veronica Ozura, who arranged the program. 

Cossatot VFD fish fry fundraiser returns March 28    3/10/26

DE QUEEN – The Cossatot Volunteer Fire Department will present its annual fish fry fundraiser and membership drive this month.

Residents of the Cossatot Fire District, along with anyone in the area, are invited to come by for an evening of food, music, fellowship and support for local first responders. The fundraiser kicks off at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 28 at the fire station on Farm-to-Market Road.

The Cossatot Volunteer Fire Department hosts the event each year as one of its top fundraisers and to showcase the vital role filled by the department — one that is staffed entirely by volunteers.

Members of the Cossatot Volunteer Fire Department have previously stressed how thankful the department is for the community's support and how important the annual fundraiser is.

They said recent fundraisers have helped cover the cost of repairing one of the station’s fire engines and helped the department complete an addition to the fire station.

Membership dues are $40, and those who pay during the March 28 fundraiser will receive up to three plates of fried fish with all the fixings. The menu includes fish, hushpuppies, fries, coleslaw, pinto beans, dessert and a beverage.

Those outside the fire district are invited to eat for $10 per plate. Any and all donations will be accepted and greatly appreciated, members said.

As always, the fundraiser will feature live entertainment, and attendees are invited to participate in the live auction that evening.

For more information, call Ashley Johnson Ortega at (870) 784-1360 or Wanda Stover at (870) 784-4347.

Those unable to attend can mail their membership dues to Cossatot VFD, 857 Highway 24 East, De Queen, AR 71832.

Two arrested in Sevier County on drug charges in separate incidents    3/09/26

DE QUEEN – Two people were arrested on drug-related charges in separate incidents over the weekend in Sevier County, according to affidavits released by the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office.

The first arrest occurred late Friday night, March 6, at the Rolling Fork Boat Ramp on De Queen Lake.

According to the affidavit, a Sevier County deputy was patrolling the area around 11:20 p.m. when he observed a silver Toyota Tacoma parked near the restrooms with its headlights off. The deputy reported noticing a man slumped over in the driver’s seat and approached the vehicle to check on his welfare.

The driver, identified as Dustin Craig Hopper, 34, of Cove, eventually woke up and opened the door. The deputy reported observing a clear plastic bag containing a white crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine on the floorboard between the driver’s seat and the door.

Authorities say a search of the vehicle revealed multiple items of drug paraphernalia, including glass smoking devices and pipes commonly used to ingest methamphetamine. The suspected methamphetamine was weighed and showed an approximate weight of 8.7 grams.

Hopper reportedly told deputies the substance was methamphetamine and admitted to using the drug. He was taken into custody and transported to the Sevier County Detention Center.

He is charged with possession of a controlled substance, a Class C felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class A misdemeanor.

A second arrest occurred Sunday, March 8, following a traffic stop in the Gillham area.

According to the affidavit, a Sevier County deputy was patrolling on Highway 71 North near King Road when he observed a gold Chrysler crossing the fog line multiple times and traveling approximately 70 miles per hour in a posted 55 mph zone.

During the stop, the driver was identified as Teresa Erin Jones, 47, of Wickes. Deputies reported learning that Jones had a suspended driver’s license.

Authorities said Jones appeared nervous during the stop and admitted she had marijuana in her purse. A search of the vehicle reportedly revealed a zip-lock bag containing suspected marijuana and another clear bag containing a white crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine. Deputies also located digital scales inside the vehicle.

According to the affidavit, Jones stated the methamphetamine belonged to her and that she had purchased it in Texas. The substance was later weighed at the sheriff’s office and measured approximately 8 grams.

Jones was taken into custody and transported to the Sevier County Detention Center.

She is charged with possession of methamphetamine with purpose to deliver, a Class B felony.

Both cases remain under investigation. The charges are allegations and the arrested individuals are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Sevier County 4-H'ers deliver sewn hearts to Arkansas Children's Hospital    3/09/26

Submitted by Kim Frachiseur, Sevier County Extension Service

LITTLE ROCK – Several members of Sevier County 4-H recently traveled to Arkansas Children’s Hospital to personally deliver 221 hand-sewn hearts to support babies and their families.

These special hearts serve as comfort items for newborns receiving care. Each heart is first worn by the mother, allowing it to absorb her scent, and is then given to the baby. This simple act helps babies and their mamas feel close even when they cannot physically be together. It is a powerful way to strengthen bonding during what can often be a difficult and emotional time.

Braylee Reynolds, 13-year-old daughter of Rustin and Maranda Reynolds, felt led to answer the call for the need of hearts. She asked members of her 4-H club if they would like to help, and together the 4-H members worked diligently on this service project, carefully sewing each heart by hand. Their dedication and compassion were evident in every stitch. Delivering the hearts in person made the experience even more meaningful, as members were able to see firsthand how their efforts will impact families across Arkansas.

When asked about delivering the hearts, Braylee said, “It felt good to know what we did helped.”

Among the recipients was baby Will, whose family expressed heartfelt gratitude for the thoughtful gift. “We love them so very much,” one family member shared. “It’s a special way for mamas to bond with their babies.”

Service projects like this highlight the true heart of 4-H — teaching young people the importance of compassion, leadership, and giving back to their community. The Sevier County 4-H members not only demonstrated exceptional sewing skills but also showed the power of youth making a difference in the lives of others.

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers its programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.

Legacy Academy seniors with special community night    3/09/26

Submitted by Cynthia Kesterson, Legacy Academy

LOCKESBURG – Legacy Academy gathered on March 2 to celebrate its 2026 basketball seniors with a special Senior Night event after the final home game of the season was canceled due to an ice storm. The evening became a joyful opportunity for the Legacy Academy community to come together and recognize the dedication and leadership of the school’s senior athletes.

Students, families, and staff filled the gym for a night of friendly competition, laughter, and community spirit as participants enjoyed a variety of fun basketball-themed activities. The event highlighted the close-knit nature of the Legacy Academy community while honoring the commitment of the seniors who have represented the Warriors basketball program.

Senior Skylar Alexander was recognized for her leadership, encouragement of teammates, and competitive spirit throughout her basketball career. Known for her energy and determination on the court, Skylar has consistently encouraged her teammates while bringing enthusiasm and positivity to practices and games.

Throughout her career, Skylar has:

• Scored 689 points
• Won 368 rebounds
• Claimed 138 steals
• Provided 54 assists
• Made 9 blocks

Senior James Bartek was also honored for his leadership and example to younger players in the program. Teammates have consistently praised his work ethic, humility, and ability to lead both through encouragement and strong play on the court.

Throughout his career, James has:

• Scored 819 points
• Won 497 rebounds
• Claimed 114 steals
• Provided 166 assists
• Made 36 blocks

The evening served as a reminder that Legacy Academy athletics are about more than competition—they are about developing character, leadership, and community.

Legacy Academy thanks all students, families, and supporters who helped make the evening a meaningful celebration of the school’s seniors and their contributions to the Warriors basketball program.

Fatal accident claims life of Amity man in Hot Springs    3/09/26

HOT SPRINGS – A 43-year-old Amity man was killed Saturday afternoon in a three-vehicle crash on Highway 70 West in Garland County, according to a report from the Arkansas State Police.

The crash occurred at approximately 1:31 p.m. on March 7 at the intersection of Highway 70 West and Airport Road in Hot Springs.

Authorities reported that a 2016 Ford Escape driven by Matthew Kersey, 43, of Amity, was traveling westbound on Highway 70 when the vehicle lost control. Investigators say the vehicle crossed into the eastbound lane and struck the side of an oncoming 2024 Ram 2500 before colliding with a third vehicle, a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado.

Kersey was pronounced dead as a result of the crash.

Three occupants of the Chevrolet Silverado were injured in the collision. The driver, Brandon Moore, 32, of Oden, along with passenger Courtney McCarty, 31, of Pencil Bluff, and a minor passenger were transported to CHI St. Vincent in Hot Springs for treatment.

The Arkansas State Police report noted that rainy weather and wet road conditions were present at the time of the crash.

Sheriff's office warns of another text scam in area    3/09/26

DE QUEEN – Local officials are warning residents about a scam text message circulating in the area that falsely claims to be from an Arkansas motor vehicle agency and demands payment for an alleged unpaid traffic citation.

According to the alert shared by the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office, the message states that the recipient has an outstanding traffic violation tied to their vehicle record and threatens penalties if payment is not made immediately.

The text claims the violation must be paid by a specific deadline to avoid consequences such as vehicle registration suspension, a suspended driver’s license, collection agency fees and possible impacts on credit history. It also includes a link directing recipients to a payment website.

Officials say the message is not legitimate.

Several warning signs indicate the message is a scam. The text references the “Arkansas Department of Motor Vehicle and Highway Safety,” which is not an official Arkansas agency. In addition, the message originates from an international phone number, and the payment link directs users to a website that is not a government domain.

Authorities emphasize that legitimate Arkansas state agencies do not send text messages demanding payment for traffic citations or directing residents to unfamiliar websites for immediate payment.

Residents who receive the message are advised not to click on the link, not to provide personal or financial information and to delete the message.

Anyone concerned about traffic citations or vehicle records should contact the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration or their local court directly using official contact information.

Officials say residents should remain cautious of unsolicited messages requesting payment or personal information, as scammers often use urgent language and threats of penalties to pressure victims into responding.

If residents believe they may have been targeted by a scam or have provided information, they should contact the sheriff’s office at (870) 642-2125.

Sevier County Farm Bureau Federation recognizes local ag students    3/06/26

DE QUEEN – Sevier County members of the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation gathered Thursday to recognize outstanding agriculture students from De Queen and Horatio High Schools, while also providing support for local agricultural education programs.

During the program, the organization recognized eight students as Ag Students of the Year and presented donations of $2,500 each to the ag-science programs at De Queen and Horatio.

Students recognized included Rhett Walker, Leah Barton, Layla Tallant and Hazen Hicks of Horatio High School, along with Ruby Hopper, Angel Moran, Kinnah Ferguson and Katelyn Griffin of De Queen High School.

In addition to the financial support for the schools, the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation also donated numerous boxes of Wild Game Snack Sticks to help support backpack feeding programs at Horatio and De Queen Public Schools.

Members of the Sevier County Farm Bureau presenting the awards included Elizabeth Walker, Robert Martinez, Kenneth Kemp, John Nix and Allen Stark, along with Horatio ag teacher Terry Maye and De Queen ag teacher Jonathan Lawrence.

While each student was recognized individually, both teachers emphasized the broader importance of programs that encourage agricultural education and leadership among local students.

Maye praised the students not only for their accomplishments in the classroom and shop, but for their character and work ethic – qualities he said are increasingly important in today’s world.

“These are the elite kids in our program,” Maye said, noting that they were chosen based on their overall participation and contributions throughout their entire agricultural education experience.

Maye also thanked the local Farm Bureau members for their long-standing support of agricultural education in the county.

“No one else in this county is doing what you guys are doing with our schools and with our kids,” Maye said. “Thank you for it. We appreciate it very much.”

Lawrence echoed those sentiments, saying recognition from the community helps reinforce the lessons teachers try to instill in their students.

“We can tell them they’re doing a great job all the time, but when the community recognizes them and validates that work, it means something different,” Lawrence said. “It shows them that people see what they’re doing and appreciate the effort.”

Lawrence added that the Farm Bureau program gives students an opportunity to feel valued for their dedication and hard work in agricultural education and FFA activities.

“Programs like this help students see that what they’re doing matters,” he said.

Diesel, urea prices surge after Straights of Hormuz close as planting season begins in Arkansas    3/06/26

By Mary Hightower/UAEX

JONESBORO – As war shuts down shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, farmers are seeing spikes in urea and diesel prices just as planting season has begun in Arkansas.

The conflict has stranded more than 200 vessels, according to Lloyd’s List, and prompted insurance companies to issue notices of cancellation for shippers working the Persian Gulf, according to gCaptain, a maritime news outlet.

Scott Stiles, extension economics program associate for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said about 30 percent of the world’s urea — a widely used fertilizer — goes through the Strait of Hormuz. 

Each week, he conducts a price survey among urea dealers. The urea market’s reaction to the Iran conflict was “sharp and swift.” 

“Prices went up $70 a ton on Monday,” Stiles said on Tuesday. “Most of them were quoting in the upper $500s per ton last week. 

“I called a place on Monday, and they quoted me $640 per ton. I called the place back Tuesday morning, and they said $700 per ton,” he said.

On Tuesday, Stiles said he talked to an Arkansas farmer who reported being unable to get a quote after calling three dealers. 

“Things are so volatile we don't really know where we are on the price curve and how far this is going to go,” Stiles said. 

The situation is particularly dire for farmers who did not purchase urea earlier this season.

“Considering the economic situation row crop farmers were already facing, a lot of people were either waiting to see if they got financed or they needed an operating note for cash flow. For some, that delayed their decisions about booking urea,” Stiles said. “This is happening at the worst possible time. By that, I mean margins were thin to non-existent already going into the ’26 crop year.” 

Stiles said that the prices of other fertilizers like potash and phosphates haven’t moved much. 

Diesel and budget updates 

Oil markets also have been rocked by the war in Iran, as a key producer shut down liquified natural gas production and one of the gulf’s largest oil refineries also shut down, sending gas and diesel prices upward.  

“When we published the enterprise budgets in November, we put in a price of $2.46, and now we're a full dollar a gallon above that,” Stiles said. “Effectively, more than 40 percent has been added to our fuel cost in just the last few days.” 

Each year, the Cooperative Extension Service develops enterprise budgets to help producers calculate their cost to farm. The budgets include inputs such as fertilizers and fuel. 

Breana Watkins, an agricultural economics instructor for the Division of Agriculture, said she was working with colleagues to incorporate the wartime numbers.  

“This won’t be a change to the budgets, but a bonus update with current spot prices,” Watkins said. “We’ll also have an update on commodity prices to reflect changes from the fall.” 

Watkins said the goal was to have the updates ready by Friday. 

As soon as the energy markets resumed trading Sunday night, prices spiked higher. The lead month April contract for NYMEX, the New York Mercantile Exchange, diesel futures closed last Friday at $2.5960 per gallon, Stiles said. It settled Tuesday at $3.1869. 

“When you go out to the more deferred contracts, like the May and June, you do see diesel prices come down below $3.00,” Stiles said. “At least for now, the futures market sees 

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, NYMEX diesel reached its peak for the year in April at $5.22 per gallon.  

“Fortunately, that was the only month we saw diesel prices above $5 that year,” Stiles said. “As supply chains adjusted and production ramped up, fuel prices generally trended lower into harvest. A similar thing happened with urea prices in 2022. Prices spiked higher in early March and stayed at historically high levels until early April before starting to trend lower. 

On Tuesday, President Trump said in a Truth Social post that he had ordered the United States Development Finance Corporation “to provide, at a very reasonable price, political risk insurance and guarantees for the Financial Security of ALL Maritime Trade, especially Energy,” for shipping through the Persian Gulf. 

The president also said that, if necessary, the U.S. Navy would begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. 

Horatio FCCLA taco and dance fundraiser is tonight    3/06/26

HORATIO – Horatio High School’s FCCLA chapter is inviting the community to a fundraiser tonight to help students cover expenses for their upcoming state competition.

The event will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. in the Horatio High School practice gym and will feature a taco dinner, dancing lessons and karaoke. Dinner and activities are $10, or $5 for dancing and karaoke only.

Dance instruction will include line dancing and swing dancing led by a certified instructor from Hot Springs, along with Latino dance lessons from local instructors.

Take-out taco plates will also be available starting at 4:30 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at the door, with proceeds supporting Horatio FCCLA students heading to state competition.

Lady Leopards softball prevails 5-3 over Mineral Springs    3/06/26

DE QUEEN – A five run uprising in the fifth inning proved to be the difference as the undefeated De Queen Lady Leopards softball team rallied for a 5 to 3 victory over Mineral Springs Thursday afternoon on the diamond behind De Queen High School. 

In that decisive fifth inning, Camila Figueroa led off with a single. Jaden Valdez followed with a single and an RBI. Evelyn Ponce laid down a perfect bunt single for an RBI. Zoey Tollett tied the game with an RBI double. Then, Rosa Ledesma delivered the game-winning two-run single to put the Lady Leopards ahead for good.

Ponce, our McDonalds Player of the Game, pitched the Lady Leopards to victory. Evelyn went all seven innings in the circle, allowed only one earned run, while striking out 11, and issuing no walks.

The De Queen girls, who improved to 2 and 0 on the season, pounded out eight hits on the afternoon. Jaden Valdez collected two doubles, and a single. Camila Figueroa had two singles. Zoey Tollett had a double. Rosa Ledesma had the game-winning two-run single. Evelyn Ponce helped her own cause with a run-scoring bunt single. 

The Lady Leopards return to action Tuesday when they take on Horatio in a Sevier County Showdown. 

Veronica Ozura speaks at De Queen Rotary    3/06/26

DE QUEEN – At the March 2nd De Queen Rotary Club meeting at Micah 6:8, Veronica Ozura, the Sevier County Economic Development Director as well as the Executive Director of the Sevier County Chamber of Commerce, discussed the combined roles of the two organizations. 

The two leadership roles were combined at the first of the year. “Our work through Economic Development and the Chamber is to make absolutely sure Sevier County is staying aligned and set up for winning. And I’m proud to say that we are making real progress,” Ozura said. 

Ozura has been actively engaged with expanding manufacturers as well as having ongoing conversations with site selectors and potential partners. “Our support of projects like the recent Bell Lumber and Pole’s continued investment means that local jobs and capital expenditures are moving in the right direction,” Ozura said. 

Workforce alignment and regional positioning are making sure decision-makers know that Sevier County is open for serious business. 

With the recent chamber realignment to include economic development, Ozura says the focus has been to listen to businesses, strengthen member value, improve communication, and align resources from startup to expansion. “The Chamber should not just host events. It should be a business growth engine,” Ozura added. 

Ozura pointed out that strong communities don’t just happen by accident. They happen when business leaders lean in, civic partners stay engaged, and communities invest in their own future. 

Economic development is not just about industry. It touches housing, schools, healthcare, small business vitality, and quality of life. “When we move the economic needle, everything else moves with it,” Ozura said.

Ozura encouraged Rotarians and their businesses to continue to support the Chamber and the FRIENDS organizations. For more information about supporting FRIENDS, visit the website: www.buildseviercounty.org . “Your support is allowing us to tell Sevier County’s story in rooms we’ve never been in before. It’s allowing us to compete for projects that bring jobs and investment. It’s supporting businesses already here. It’s strengthening workforce pipelines. And finally, your support is building long-term sustainability for our community,” Ozura concluded. 

Ozura was introduced by Club President Fernando Balderas, who arranged the program. Guests at Monday’s meeting included Tonya Wolcott and Teresa Brewer. 

Club Secretary Tammy Huddleston proudly displayed the Community Champion Award that the club received at last week’s Sevier County Chamber of Commerce Banquet for its 103 years of service to De Queen and the surrounding area. Huddleston also announced that De Queen Rotary will receive an $8,400 grant from the Tyson Foundation to add a piece of equipment to the Club’s all-inclusive playground in Herman Dierks Park.

The Rotary Club will present books to third graders at Horatio Elementary School on March 5th. The annual Rotary Academic Awards ceremony at the De Queen High School Auditorium is scheduled for April 22nd at 11:45 A.M. Rotary honors the outstanding student in each subject area with a plaque at this special assembly that has been held annually since the late 1950’s.

ASH Committee preparing to award 2026 seniors    3/06/26

ASHDOWN – The Ashdown High School Scholarship Committee will soon be awarding scholarships to 2026 AHS seniors, as it has since its formation in 1987, and contributors are encouraged to either continue donations as they have in previous years or become new scholarship donors and contribute to the success of new Ashdown High School graduates in their post-secondary endeavors.

“Last year, we awarded 68 scholarships with a total value of $48,265” states Ronda Pounds, chairperson of the committee.  “This brings the total scholarships to over $725,895 awarded to 1,329 students over the course of our 39-year history.”

Pounds also states that 100% of all donated monies are awarded every year and that all donations are tax-deductible.  

The Scholarship Committee has also authorized an alumni fund through which former students of Ashdown High School and businesses may contribute to the program in any amount and at any time.  Such contributions may be made in honor or memory of friends and loved ones.

As in previous years, scholarship recipients will be announced and scholarships awarded at a tea sponsored by the committee.  The date for this year's tea is Sunday, April 26 at 2:00 p.m. in the Administration Board Room at 751 Rankin  “All donors are welcome at the tea,” Pounds continues, “and welcome to participate in presenting the scholarship they are giving if they would like.”

To be awarded to 2026 AHS seniors, contributions must be received by April 1.  They may be mailed to or dropped off at the Ashdown School District Administration Office at 751 Rankin Street, Ashdown, Arkansas 71822.  An online donation option has been added at www.ashdownschools.org, select the “Online Payments” tab, select “District” (from a mobile device, click on the three red bars), select “Scholarship Fund”, next enter information including “in memory/honor of” and your name and address for acknowledgment in the “Description Box”, enter scholarship amount and click “Add to Cart” button.

Webb wins county judge race, Dowdle to be next sheriff in Sevier County    3/04/26

DE QUEEN – Sevier County voters chose their next county judge Tuesday night as Republican candidate Matt Webb won a decisive victory in a three-way primary race.

Webb received 1,454 votes, or about 59 percent of the total, defeating Joe Vallee, who received 536 votes, and Charlie Tallant, who finished with 461 votes.

Following the results, Webb said he was both grateful and humbled by the support shown by voters.

“I’m feeling very good and very blessed,” Webb said. “I really appreciate everybody who came out and supported me. I’m just overwhelmed right now.”

The race marked the first contested election for county judge in Sevier County since 2012 and featured three Republican candidates. Because no candidates from other parties filed for the position, Webb’s primary victory effectively secures the office ahead of the November general election.

Webb said the campaign was competitive but respectful among all three candidates.

“It was a hard-fought campaign,” he said. “We had two other well-qualified guys running in the election, and you don’t really know how things are going to turn out until those last few votes get counted.”

Looking ahead to taking office, Webb said he is ready to begin the work of serving the county.

“Now I’ve caught the fish and I’ve got to skin it,” Webb said with a laugh. “I want to thank the other two guys for running good, clean races. I thank my wife for backing me since May and being with me through it, and the good Lord for keeping me going through the tough times. I’m just ready to go to work for the county.”

Sheriff’s race decided

Another closely watched race Tuesday night was for Sevier County Sheriff and Collector, where four Republican candidates competed for the position.

Chad Dowdle won the race outright with 1,254 votes, just over 50 percent of the total, avoiding a runoff election.

Chris Wolcott finished second with 571 votes, followed by Rodger Ridley with 502 votes and Johnye Cooke with 142 votes.

Like the county judge race, no candidates from other parties filed for the sheriff’s office, meaning Dowdle’s primary victory effectively secures the position ahead of the November general election.

Quorum Court and local races

In the race for District 2 Justice of the Peace on the Sevier County Quorum Court, Leslie Daniels defeated Gerald Burt by a margin of 61 votes to 19. With no other candidates filed for the position, Daniels will also take office following the November election.

Another Quorum Court race will continue into the general election. Jeff Wahls won the Republican primary for the District 9 seat with 224 votes, or just under 59 percent, compared to 156 votes for John Nix. Wahls will face independent candidate Walter DeShazo in November.

In the race for Bear Creek Township constable, Nathan Hodges won decisively with 223 votes, or about 82 percent, defeating Marc Logazino, who received 48 votes.

Voters in the Horatio School District also selected a school board member for Zone 4, where Justin Williamson upset incumbent Joshua Butler by a vote of 96 to 55.

Prosecuting attorney race

Voters across the Ninth West Judicial District also selected their next prosecuting attorney.

Erin Hunter won the three-way race with 5,197 votes across the four-county district, which includes Sevier, Little River, Howard, and Pike counties. Hunter received just under 60 percent of the vote, defeating incumbent Jana Bradford and challenger Clayton Tinkes.

Hunter performed strongly in Pike County (Bradford’s home county), where she received 1,437 votes, compared to 351 votes for Bradford. Bradford received less than seven percent of the vote in Sevier County.

Tinkes carried his home county of Little River with 1,191 votes, compared to 895 for Hunter and 378 for Bradford.

Hunter will officially take office as prosecuting attorney on Jan. 1, 2027.

Little River County races

In neighboring Little River County, Kevin Sanders narrowly won the Republican primary for sheriff and collector with 1,115 votes, defeating Brandon Kennemore, who received 1,076 votes.

Sanders will face independent candidates Channen Branch and Glen Ray Bowman in the November general election.

The race for Little River County judge will head to a runoff election after none of the three Republican candidates received more than 50 percent of the vote.

Butch Lisenby finished first with 926 votes, followed by Ricky Bowman with 665 votes. The two will meet in a runoff election scheduled for March 31. The winner will face independent candidate Tracy Jones in the November general election.

Voter turnout

A total of 2,547 ballots were cast in Sevier County during the election, representing just under 34 percent of the county’s registered voters.

Of those ballots, 2,485 were cast in the Republican primary, 41 in the Democratic primary, and 21 voters chose the nonpartisan ballot only.

Early voting accounted for 1,329 ballots, meaning just over half of the county’s votes were cast before Election Day.

First court appearance for one suspect in De Queen murder case    3/04/26

DE QUEEN – One of the suspects charged in connection with a fatal shooting in De Queen last month has entered a not guilty plea, as the case continues to move forward in the Sevier County Circuit Court.

Kaytlon Huesca, 18, made her first court appearance on Feb. 26, where she entered a plea of not guilty to charges of murder, battery and unlawful use of a firearm from a vehicle. A bond hearing in the case is scheduled for later this month, with a pre-trial hearing set for late May.

Authorities have also filed formal charges against 21-year-old Tristan Mendoza in the Sevier County Circuit Court. Mendoza had previously been held in the McCurtain County Detention Center and was awaiting extradition. He is currently awaiting his first court appearance.

A third suspect, an unidentified juvenile, remains in custody at an undisclosed juvenile detention facility and is expected to be charged as an adult, according to authorities.

Investigators believe the three suspects were involved in the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old De Queen boy around 9 p.m. on Feb. 2. Two other victims were also struck by nonfatal gunfire.

The shooting occurred at a residence in the 200 block of Vandervoort Avenue, where investigators recovered numerous spent shell casings of different calibers. The De Queen Police Department said suspects were quickly identified following the incident, and authorities have stated the shooting is not believed to be gang-related.

De Queen Police Chief Scott Simmons credited the swift progress in the case to assistance from multiple agencies, including the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office, the 9th Judicial District Drug Task Force, the Arkansas State Police and law enforcement agencies in McCurtain County.

De Queen archery teams heading to state competition this Friday    3/03/26

DE QUEEN – De Queen’s archery teams are headed to the state stage.

Both the De Queen Cubs middle school team and De Queen High School have qualified for the Arkansas Archery in the Schools State Championship, set for March 6 through the 8 in Hot Springs.

The event will bring together more than 1,900 student archers from across Arkansas, all competing at the Hot Springs Convention Center and Bank OZK Arena.

Teams earned their spots by posting top scores during qualifying events held since November, with only the top 30 teams in each division advancing to state competition.

De Queen Archery Coach Dennis Chaney said the program includes students from sixth through twelfth grade, with the middle school team made up of sixth through eighth graders and the high school squad including ninth through twelfth graders.

Each team may bring up to 24 archers, with scoring based on the team’s top performers.

“The way it’s scored is you take the four highest boys, the four highest girls, and then the next four highest scores, whether that’s a boy or a girl,” Chaney explained.

The De Queen Cubs will compete Friday in the middle school division, while the De Queen High School team will shoot Saturday in the senior division.

Chaney said the format is simple but intense.

“You go in, you have your time, and you shoot one round, and you’re done,” he said. “Then they calculate the scores from there.”

Several De Queen archers enter the state tournament with years of experience in the program. Chaney said many students start competing in sixth grade and stay involved throughout their school careers.

Among the top performers this year are Aric Pinkerton, who was the team’s highest-scoring archer last season, along with Katherine Peppers, Emmie Martin, Kinnah Ferguson, Ethan Reed, Parker Caswell, and Edward Pacheco.

At the junior high level, Chaney said some of his best archers include Avah Sneed, Sarah Sanchez, Emma Coulter, Edward Peppers, Gatlin Salazar and Tate Wilkerson.

Chaney has coached De Queen archery since 2014 and said the program continues to attract strong participation.

“We usually average about 65 to 75 kids a year from sixth through twelfth grade,” he said.

He also credited several volunteers who have helped the team this season, including Evelyn Kelton and her husband Ethan Kelton, along with longtime Arkansas Game and Fish official Caleb Coulter.

Chaney said the sport often draws students with a wide range of backgrounds. Some are already interested in archery through hunting, while others join simply to try something new when they reach middle school.

“For a lot of sixth graders, it’s the first chance they have to be on a team, ride the bus to competitions, and wear a team uniform,” Chaney said.

In addition to team awards, top individual finishers at the state tournament will receive prizes, including scholarship opportunities for high school competitors.

The event also includes a community service component, with participating schools encouraged to bring canned goods to help fight hunger across Arkansas.

February weather summary; much needed rain on the way    3/03/26

DE QUEEN – De Queen measured 2.46 inches of precipitation during the month of February, with nearly all of that total — 1.99 inches — falling on Feb. 16.

That brings the two-month precipitation total for 2026 to 5.35 inches.

Temperatures during the month varied widely. The hottest afternoon reached 81 degrees on Feb. 27, while the coldest morning dipped to 16 degrees on Feb. 1.

While February’s numbers provided some moisture, dry conditions have persisted across much of the region in recent weeks. Several nearby counties have enacted burn bans due to elevated wildfire risk, though no burn ban has been issued in Sevier County at this time.

Relief is hopefully on the way.

The National Weather Service is forecasting multiple chances of rain and thunderstorms beginning Thursday and continuing through early next week – welcome news for an area that could use additional moisture.

Thursday brings a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms with a high near 78 degrees. Rain chances continue Thursday night under mostly cloudy skies, with a low around 59.

Another 40 percent chance of showers and storms returns Friday afternoon, with temperatures climbing near 82 degrees. Rain chances increase significantly Friday night, with showers and possibly a thunderstorm likely. The chance of precipitation jumps to 90 percent, with a low around 60.

Showers and thunderstorms remain likely Saturday, especially before noon, with an 80 percent chance of precipitation and a high near 74. Rain chances continue Saturday night and into Sunday, with periods of showers and storms possible through Monday.

If the forecast holds, the anticipated rainfall could help ease dry ground conditions and reduce wildfire concerns across the area.

Bunyard Broadcasting, Inc. serves as the official reporting station for the National Weather Service in De Queen.

It's Severe Weather Awareness Week in Arkansas    3/03/26

LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Division of Emergency Management (ADEM), in coordination with the National Weather Service, is recognizing March 1–7, 2026, as Severe Weather Awareness Week in Arkansas.

State emergency officials say the annual observance is designed to encourage Arkansans to review their severe weather safety plans and ensure their homes, schools and workplaces are prepared for the possibility of spring storms.

“Severe weather can strike with little warning,” said ADEM Director AJ Gary. “Taking time now to prepare can help save lives when storms threaten Arkansas.”

Tornado Safety

With peak tornado season approaching, ADEM officials urge residents to identify a safe location inside their home, such as a basement or a small interior room on the lowest floor away from windows.

Residents should also have multiple ways to receive weather warnings, including NOAA weather radios, smartphone alerts and updates from local media outlets.

If caught outdoors or in a vehicle during a tornado warning, individuals should move to the nearest sturdy building immediately. If no shelter is available, officials recommend lying flat in a low-lying area and covering your head to protect against flying debris.

Flood Safety

Flooding remains one of the most dangerous weather threats in Arkansas. Emergency officials stress the importance of never driving through flooded roadways.

“Turn Around, Don’t Drown” remains a key safety message. Just six inches of moving water can knock a person off their feet, and two feet of water can carry away most vehicles.

Residents are also advised to avoid walking through floodwaters, which may conceal debris, contaminants or strong currents. If flash flooding is possible, move to higher ground immediately.

Build a Disaster Supply Kit

Emergency management officials recommend every household maintain a disaster supply kit with enough essentials to last at least three days. Items should include:

-Water and non-perishable food

-Flashlights and extra batteries

-A NOAA Weather Radio

-First aid supplies and necessary medications

-Important documents stored in a waterproof container

-Clothing, toiletries and blankets

For additional severe weather preparedness resources, residents can visit adem.arkansas.gov or ready.gov.

Arkansans can also locate designated community safe rooms through the state’s online Citizens Portal at gis-adem.hub.arcgis.com.

Early voting concludes today    3/02/26

DE QUEEN – Today is the final day of early voting for the 2026 Preferential Primary in Sevier County, giving voters one last opportunity to cast their ballots ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, March 3.

Early voting will continue today from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at the De Queen Community Building in Herman Dierks Park.

Polls will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3.

Sevier County will operate as a vote center county, meaning voters may cast their ballot at any of the following locations:

–De Queen Community Building, 526 E. Haes Ave., De Queen

–De Queen Church of Christ, 1305 W. Collin Raye, De Queen

–Ben Lomond Community Building, 448 Wilson Creek Rd., Ben Lomond

–J.L. Walker Fellowship Hall, 602 Hazard Street, Horatio

–De Queen/Mena Co-Op, 305 Hornberg Ave., Gillham

–CCCUA Lockesburg, 128 E. Main, Lockesburg

In addition to federal and statewide races, Sevier County voters are deciding several local contests, including:

Sevier County Judge (R):
Matt Webb, Charlie Tallant and Joe Vallee

Sevier County Sheriff (R):
Chad Dowdle, Johnye Cooke, Roger Ridley and Chris Wolcott

The position of Sevier County Coroner was initially contested, with both Tanner Bryan and Garrett Hutchison filing for the position. However, Hutchison has since dropped from the race (voters are reminded that his name will still, however, appear on the ballot).

The next prosecuting attorney for the Ninth West Judicial District will also be decided in the nonpartisan primary election. Incumbent Jana Bradford is running against challengers Erin Hunter and Clayton Tinkes.

The primary also features a race between Republican candidates John Nix and Jeff Wahls for the district 9 seat on the SCQC. The winner of the primary will face Walter DeShazo, who is running as an independent, in the November general election. The general election will also feature a face for the Quorum Court District 3 seat between Democrat Cynthia Mickle and Republican Matthew Satterfield, and the District 8 seat between Republican Benny Simmons and Independent Daniel Martinez, Jr.

Voters in the primary will decide the next constable of Bear Creek Township (R): Nathan Hodges and Mark Logazino.

A final race in Sevier County to be decided March 3 is for Zone 4 on the Horatio School Board between Joshua Butler and Justin Williamson.

One of the biggest contests in Little River County is for county judge, with current County Judge Larry Cowling choosing not to seek reelection. Four candidates are vying for the position: Republicans Butch Lisenby, Bobby Walraven and Ricky Bowman, along with Independent Tracy Jones. The winner of the Republican primary will face Jones in the November 2026 general election.

The Little River County Sheriff and Collector race is also be contested. Republicans Kevin Sanders and Brandon Kennemore have filed for the office. Two independents, Channen Branch and Glen Ray Bowman, have also entered the race. The winners of that primary will face each other in the November General Election.

Following the close of polls on March 3, absentee ballot canvassing will begin at 5 p.m., with unofficial results expected to be compiled starting at 7:30 p.m. Election Day ballot counting will begin at 8 p.m., with certification of the election scheduled for March 18.

Lady Leopards third at regional tournament, heading to state this Wednesday    3/02/26

NASHVILLE – The De Queen Lady Leopards bounced back from a tough two-point loss Friday to Arkadelphia and defeated Camden Fairview 60 to 39 in the consolation contest of the Class 4A South Regional Tournament Saturday afternoon at Nashville.

The defending state champs will be the number three seed from Region Four and will take the floor Wednesday at 4:00 at the State Tournament in Morrilton against Heber Springs. Airtime Wednesday with Greg Revels and Jay Bunyard will be at around 3:45 live from Morrilton.

The Lady Leopards raced to a 30 to 12 halftime lead over the Lady Cardinals Saturday. However, Camden Fairview went on a 14 to 2 run to open the second half and cut the De Queen lead to six points. The Lady Leopards regained their composure and went on to post the 60 to 39 victory to improve to 22 and 10 on the season as they head to the state tournament to begin defense of their title.

Heavenly Pickings led the De Queen girls with 16 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. Lynli Liggin, our McDonalds Player of the Game, scored 15 points, including a perfect six-of-six from the free throw line. Landri Liggin finished with 13 points and six steals. Ellie Morphew added ten points. The Lady Leopards full court pressure forced 32 Camden Fairview turnovers. 

Friday's semifinals matchup with Arkadelphia featured multiple lead changes and exciting momentum swings before the Lady Badgers prevailed 56 to 54. The Lady Leopards led 26 to 22 at intermission and built as much as a nine-point lead in the second half. But the Arkadelphia girls battled back to pull off the two-point upset.

Landri Liggin led De Queen with 21 points on seven three-pointers and dished out five assists. Lynli Liggin added 12 points and four steals. The taller Lady Badgers outscored the Lady Leopards 15 to 4 at the charity stripe.

Horatio FCCLA hosting taco, dance fundraiser is Friday    3/02/26

HORATIO – The Horatio High School FCCLA chapter is inviting the community to an evening of food, music and dancing as students raise funds to attend their upcoming state competition.

The fundraiser is scheduled for Friday, March 6, from 6 to 10 p.m. in the Horatio High School practice gym. The event is open to the public and everyone in the area is invited.

According to FCCLA Advisor Derenda Henry, the all-ages event will feature a taco dinner, dance instruction and karaoke. A catered plate dinner will be available for $10, which includes access to all activities. Those who wish to participate in dancing and karaoke only can do so for $5.

For those unable to stay, dinner plates will also be available for takeout beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Henry said the evening will feature dance instruction from guest instructor Paul, a certified teacher from Hot Springs, who will lead participants in line dancing and swing dancing. Additional instruction in Hispanic dance styles will be provided by Luis Salgado and Karen Munoz.

“This is a great time for kids to learn a few new dance skills ahead of prom,” said Henry.

In addition to the main activities, a concession stand will be open throughout the evening, offering drinks and snacks.

Henry said the fundraiser will help offset travel and competition expenses for FCCLA members.

Tickets may be purchased in advance through FCCLA members or at the door on the night of the event. Community members who are unable to attend but still wish to support the organization may contribute through a student donation program, which helps cover the cost of attendance for students who may not otherwise be able to participate.

For more information or to purchase tickets, individuals may contact Henry at (870) 584-6128 or by email at dhenry@horatioschools.org

Southwest Arkansas Rendevouz coming to Prescott this month    3/02/26

Submitted by Nevada County Depot Museum

PRESCOTT – Step into the past at the 42nd Annual Southwestern Regional Rendezvous, returning to Prescott, Arkansas for a week of authentic living history. On March 14, 15, and 21, visitors will encounter authentic mountain‑man encampments, historic demonstrations, traders, food vendors, and more, bringing Early American life into vivid focus. Hosted by the Nevada County Depot and Museum. 

Public visiting hours are 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. on March 14, 15, and 21, with admission $5 for adults while children 12 and under attend free. Parking provided at no charge. 

The Rendezvous takes place at Prairie D’Ane Battlefield, 2243 Highway 19 North, Prescott, Arkansas, with food vendors and period merchandise available on site. 

What is a Rendezvous? Historically, Rendezvous were Colonial and Early American -era trade meetings between companies and fur trappers to buy and sell beaver and otter pelts. Another purpose was to provide much-needed socializing and entertainment for the often-isolated trappers. 

The Southwestern Regional Rendezvous is held each year in one of its member states–New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas–to celebrate this era in American history. Visitors can see authentic crafts and pioneer skills and discover what daily life in Early America was really like. History, hospitality, and hands‑on discovery await!

For more information, call 870-887-5821, email TheDepotMuseum@gmail.com, or visit the Nevada County Depot Museum’s Facebook page.

The Nevada County Depot Museum is a 501(c)3 non-profit humanities organization dedicated to preserving and sharing regional history. The Depot Museum manages Prairie D’Ane Battlefield as a historic and natural site open for visitors year round. For more information on this or upcoming events, call 870-887-5821, email TheDepotMuseum@gmail.com, find us on Facebook, or visit TheDepotMuseum.org/Events. 

Sevier County Chamber hosts annual Membership & Awards Banquet    2/27/26

DE QUEEN – The Sevier County Chamber of Commerce celebrated local businesses, educators and community leaders Thursday night during its annual Membership and Awards Banquet, held at the De Queen High School cafeteria.

A large crowd gathered for an evening of food, fellowship and recognition, highlighting contributions from across Sevier County.

One of the evening’s key moments was a leadership transition, as outgoing Chamber President Fernando Balderas officially passed the gavel to incoming President Michael Collins. The chamber also recognized Suzanne Babb for her years of service as executive director. Following her recent resignation, the role is now being filled by Sevier County Economic Development Director Veronica Ozura, who will serve in both capacities.

The banquet opened with recognition of educators from across the county.

In De Queen, honorees included Katherine Smith of the primary school, Sarah Ester of the middle school, Sue Smith of the junior high and Steve Lester of De Queen High School. Holly Click was named both elementary and overall district Teacher of the Year.

In Horatio, Paul David Willis was recognized as high school Teacher of the Year, while Brittany Allen earned both elementary and overall district honors.

Additional education awards included Hannah Webb as Legacy Academy Teacher of the Year and Justin Ellison, a diesel repair instructor at UA Cossatot, who was named the college’s Teacher of the Year.

The evening continued with several community and business awards.

Larry Hale received the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Jay and Mary Ellen Dooley, owners of De Queen Auto Group, were named Citizens of the Year.

The De Queen Rotary Club was honored as Community Champion for its ongoing service efforts throughout the area.

In business awards, Simple Simon’s Pizza was named Small Business of the Year, while the Sevier County Medical Center received Large Business of the Year honors.

Panadería Santiago was recognized as New Business of the Year, and Chicken Express received the New Construction Award.

De Queen man arrested for January fatal hit-and-run in January    2/27/26

DALLAS, Texas – A De Queen man has been arrested in connection with a fatal hit-and-run earlier this year in Dallas, Texas.

Authorities say 22-year-old Enrique Hernandez was taken into custody in De Queen last month by the United States Marshals Service. He is charged with collision involving death, a second-degree felony.

Hernandez is currently being held in Arkansas and is expected to be transferred to Dallas County to face charges.

The case stems from a crash that happened around 3 a.m. on January 11 near West Davis Street and North Westmoreland Drive in Dallas.

Investigators say 26-year-old Johnathan Rodriguez had just been dropped off near his neighborhood after celebrating his birthday when he was struck by a dark-colored SUV.

Surveillance video shows Rodriguez in the roadway moments before the vehicle hit him and left the scene.

He suffered severe head injuries and later died.

Authorities have not said whether Hernandez had any connection to the victim or to the De Queen area.

Rodriguez’s family played a key role in the investigation, helping police locate additional surveillance footage that led to the suspect’s arrest. The investigation is ongoing.

UA Cossatot hosts one of Arkansas' few collegiate FFA programs    2/27/26

DE QUEEN – University of Arkansas Cossatot is one of only a handful of colleges in the state to host a Collegiate FFA chapter. Established 15 years ago, the chapter maintains an active membership of approximately 20 to 25 students each semester.

Faculty sponsor Kelli Harris said the organization centers on leadership development, community service, professional advancement and agricultural advocacy. Through competitions, conferences and hands-on projects, members gain practical experience that complements their academic coursework.

Serving as this semester’s officers are President Janey Smedley, Vice President Isauro Lopez, Secretary Stormie Tallant, Treasurer Justin Butler and Reporter Jaun Penaloza.

UA Cossatot offers a range of agriculture-related degree programs, including Ag Business, Ag Science, Ag Education and Natural Resources. Additional programs are currently in development as the college continues expanding its agricultural curriculum.

This year, students will have opportunities to attend the State FFA Convention in April, the National Ag Employer Labor Forum and the Grazing Conference in Livingston, Montana, in June. Harris said the chapter provides students with valuable travel experiences and professional networking opportunities across the United States.

“Well, I’m really proud of our little collegiate FFA program. It provides a lot of opportunities to our students that they would not have access to. We do a lot of traveling to learn about new experiences in agriculture and see agriculture all across the United States,” Harris said.

“I’ve taken students to Alaska, Hawaii. Most recently, we went to Las Vegas, Nevada, which just happened to fall during the National Finals Rodeo. So I got to take some students to the first night of the rodeo and that was a really great experience for them. And we were there for the National Council of Agricultural Employers Conference, and so they learned a whole lot about challenges that face agricultural employers across the United States.”

FFA member Rylee Jackson recently attended a conference in Hawaii, describing the experience as both educational and memorable.

“A lot of travel opportunities. You get to go and see a lot of different things, and it’s mostly based around different types of ag conferences,” Jackson said. “That one, it was pretty much agriculture all across the world. There were people from all over coming into this conference talking about it. There were people that were native to Hawaii talking about the coffee businesses, the macadamia nuts, all of it.”

Harris noted that for many students, UA Cossatot offers an ideal transition from high school to higher education, providing smaller class sizes and personalized support.

“A lot of students, they want to stay home for a year or two. It’s such a transition period from high school into college,” Harris said. “A lot of students need that extra one or two years to prepare to move off to that big university. This gives them that time to learn more about college and grow as individuals before making that big leap, and we’re happy to help them with that transition.”

Lopez and Tallant said they chose UA Cossatot for different reasons, but both say they are benefiting academically and professionally from their involvement on campus and in FFA.

“Well, it all started out, I was planning on going to SAU, and then I was on a full budget crisis trying to get it all paid off,” Lopez said. “Hadley came out to the office while I was still in high school and told me about the benefits and financial aid and how it could help me. Then Ms. Harris mentioned collegiate FFA, and it helped me with funding and everything.”

“When I graduated, I went to Southern Arkansas University to start my ag business degree, but Cossatot was just a lot closer to home,” Tallant added. “I’m a homebody. I do not like leaving home. I know Ms. Harris very well, and moving to Cossatot just made sense. It’s a short drive for me and a very friendly atmosphere here. We’re all pretty much good friends.”

The chapter’s largest annual fundraiser is its Greenhouse Sale, which runs from March through May.

“Our greenhouse runs from January through May every semester during my horticulture class, and our biggest fundraiser is our FFA plant sale,” Harris said. “Our first day open will be Monday, March 30. Students are preparing right now, planting tomatoes, peppers and all kinds of flowers so we’ll have plants ready that last week of March into the first week of April. We’re also going to sell soil this year.”

Members are currently planting and repotting flowers and vegetables in preparation. Treasurer Justin Butler said while working with plants may not be his favorite task, he values the opportunity to learn through hands-on experience.

In addition, the chapter will host the Colts Classic on March 13.

“We have the Colts Classic coming up March 13, and we’ll have a variety of different FFA contests for high school students to compete in,” Harris said. “We’ll have forestry, land judging, floriculture — just about anything you can imagine in agriculture. These students get to learn more about how these different areas can become a career, and they gain valuable skills they can transfer into a job.”

For more information about the UA Cossatot Collegiate FFA chapter, follow UACossatotAgri on Facebook.

De Queen, Horatio girls open regional tournament action tonight    2/26/26

SEVIER COUNTY – Postseason basketball tips off tonight for two Sevier County teams as the De Queen Lady Leopards and Horatio Lady Lions begin regional tournament play with trips to Nashville and Hampton.

The De Queen Lady Leopards enter the Class 4A South Regional Tournament in Nashville as the No. 2 seed from the 7-4A Conference and will face a familiar opponent in the opening round. De Queen is set to take on the Watson Chapel Lady Wildcats, the No. 3 seed from the 8-4A, in a rematch of an earlier contest that saw Watson Chapel claim a 73-70 overtime win on January 6 at the Coliseum.

The Lady Leopards carry momentum into the matchup after avenging another earlier loss with a recent victory over Magnolia. With a win tonight, De Queen would secure a berth in the upcoming Class 4A State Tournament.

Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. in Nashville, with radio coverage beginning at 3:45 p.m. on #1 Country 92.1, featuring Toney Stowers and Greg Revels.

Meanwhile, the Horatio Lady Lions will also begin postseason play tonight, traveling to Hampton for the 2A-4 Regional Tournament. The Lady Lions are set to face Ouachita in their opening round matchup as they look to advance deeper into postseason competition.

Both teams enter play with high stakes, as a win moves them one step closer to a state tournament appearance.