Batesville educator recognized for work with children
Lorrie McClure’s son Matthew has achalasia, a rare condition causing his esophagus to become nonfunctioning. Because of the condition, she and Matthew must mak…
Stories by Jeanni Brosius
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Longtime basketball coach has deep roots at school
Kevin Jenkins emerged through the doors of Becknell Gymnasium with a smile on his face and an outstretched arm. Shaking a lot of hands — that’s what coaches do…
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Potluck meal to help raise funds for homeless mission
Homelessness and hunger are everywhere, and no one is immune to either. The people of White County are no exception. Each year, just before Thanksgiving, the…
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Cord-Charlotte students elect Romney as president
Students at Cord-Charlotte Elementary School sported “I voted” stickers after they voted in their own presidential election Tuesday morning. Gregg Cooper, th…
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Community Thanksgiving Feast a family affair
Heather and Dane Moore take the traditional family Thanksgiving feast a few steps farther and welcome the entire community for dinner. Heather said she has …
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School garners national award for its healthier environment
It took two years of hard work by the staff and students at Eagle Mountain Magnet Elementary School to achieve a national award for their efforts to create a h…
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Jacksonville shop hanging up costumes for good
After Wednesday night, when children dress in costume and go door to door in search of candy, a Halloween tradition in Jacksonsville will come to an end — the …
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Flavor madness: Family turns hobby into homegrown business
Amanda Martin poured some Black Dandy tea into a cup as she offered her guests some chocolate-chip scones and gluten-free lavender cookies. The tea is a blend …
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Going Highland-tech: New Tech program encourages student involvement in learning
When students take ownership of their education and apply their schoolwork to real-world problems, the process changes the culture of the school. That’s what t…
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Midland High students preparing to continue study-abroad program
Midland High School students are preparing for another trip to discover other cultures. So far, eight students are on board for the third trip the school will …
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State trooper receives award
It’s not an everyday occurrence that an Arkansas state trooper draws his gun, and it is a rarity that he may have to fire at a suspect. Every morning, Claudet…
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Searcy building new field house
If you need evidence that the sports programs at the Searcy schools are growing, look toward the construction near the Searcy High School gym where a new field…
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Tuckerman woman recalls meeting the cast of The Andy Griffith Show
Although Marietta Thompson of Tuckerman lives in a small town, she has rubbed elbows with some well-known people. On July 3, Andy Griffith died, and Thompson …
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Reward is in the act: Our Club kids give back to community
Around 14 years ago, Glen Lane took a job with the Martin Street Youth Center as director of Our Club of Jacksonville, an after-school program and a division o…
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Col. Brian ‘Smokey’ Robinson: Effective leadership requires trust in people
Col. Brian Robinson loves to fly. He said aviation was his boyhood dream. The 46-year-old not only grew up to fly, but he soared up the Air Force ladder to be…
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On target: City, state to build shooting range in Jacksonville
After working for more than two years to get a shooting range in Jacksonville, the city of Jacksonville is partnering with the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundatio…
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Five Panthers to be inducted into Hall of Fame
On March 29, 1976, a tornado cut through Cabot, leaving destruction in its wake. Tom Brannon was a third-grader when his hometown was left devastated, and that…
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Jodi Love: Hospital CEO: ‘Once a nurse, always a nurse’
Jodi Love once turned down a college scholarship, but she believes her choice to join the Navy was the right one at the time. “I wanted to see the world,” the…
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After 81 years, flower business still abloom
In 1931, Elrod Purdy was working as a nurse. When she realized how flowers lifted the spirits of her patients, she had a vision to spread that joy to everyone …
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Remembering his roots: The Voice contestant proud to represent his hometown
California is a long way from Arkansas, but Cody Belew said his feet are still planted firmly in Beebe. Growing up in Antioch, just outside of Beebe, Belew, 2…
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History book includes grave tales of county’s past
Kip Davis is not only planning for the future of Woodruff County; he also delves into its past. Working as the city planner for Augusta, Davis is also vice pre…
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Ready to ride: Sunshine Rodeo lassos hearts of volunteers
It was a cool, crisp morning at the Brewer Farm just outside Beebe as nearly 300 children lined up to participate in various events at the Sunshine Rodeo on Fr…
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‘Train Boy’ gets to ride the rails
Sitting in a chair in the Jenks Shop locomotive complex, 34-year-old Vernon Myers was wearing a red T-shirt and ball cap, both with the Union Pacific Railroad …
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Award draws praise for Searcy teacher
One of the things Cheryl Simmons enjoys about teaching art to children is that they are free with their creativity. Simmons, who teaches kindergarten through …
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Claude Smith: Principal in tune with students, importance of education
As a young child, Searcy High School Principal Claude Smith moved around quite a bit, thanks to his father’s profession in construction. As an adult, however, …
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CabotFest lineup to feature several local performers
Cory Lamb will make a pit stop during a 17-state tour to play at CabotFest, along with several other central Arkansas musicians. Arkansas is home to many tale…
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Local artist immortalizes city in oil
Through the eyes of an artist, all things are beautiful, even the most common and obscure areas of a city. The Jacksonville City Hall is home to a new collect…
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Doggone digs: Dogs get a new home in Bald Knob
It’s just a matter of time until more homeless dogs in Bald Knob have a comfortable place to live while waiting to find their forever homes. Thanks to Bald Kn…
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Kensett accepts bids for fire cleanup
A fire in January destroyed four buildings in downtown Kensett. One of those buildings housed the district courtroom and the Kensett City Council’s chambers. N…
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An invisible condition: Women hope to form support group for Chiari-malformation patients
Dana Gaines pulled out several prescription bottles from her purse, which was sitting in her lap. Lining up eight bottles on the table in front of her, she sai…
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On a mission: Cabot church with unique name puts focus on local community
Thatchurch.com is a church that not only has a unique name, but also has a unique approach to spirituality and mission work — putting the focus on local missio…
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Billie Dougherty: A silver-haired voice for aging Arkansans
One thing that Billie Dougherty has carried over from childhood is her dislike of napping. “I don’t nap,” she said with a smile. “I hated naps as a kid, and I…
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Structure may be bridge to new Augusta boardwalk
When University of Arkansas at Fayetteville student Stephen Gilbert drew up some plans in 2007 for a Students Engaged in Economic Development project, he may n…
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One day at a time: Compassionate Friends carry grieving parents through loss of loved ones
When Alan Davis was killed on April 19, 1991, in an ambulance accident, his mother, Connie Davis, thought her world would end. Alan was a 21-year-old EMT with…
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Fitness failure: Obesity rates on the rise in Arkansas
If the state of Arkansas was given a grade for its obesity rates — for both adults and youths — it would be a big, fat “F.” Arkansas ranks in the top 10 in th…
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Hospital program will focus on ovarian cancer
Most people know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and that the color for promoting awareness of the disease is pink. But what about ovarian cance…
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Moving mission: Dancers glorify God through lyrical ballet
Gently grasping a rigid ballet bar, Kathleen Marleneanu exemplified her dance training with graceful and deliberate movements. Her blond hair, slicked back in …
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Dancers on mission to glorify God through lyrical ballet
Gently grasping a rigid ballet bar, Kathleen Marleneanu exemplified her dance training with graceful and deliberate movements. Her blond hair, slicked back in …
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Searcy recovery center helps addicts face the unknown
In 2004, Holly Reavis stood before a judge. Forced to make a decision that would affect the life of her 3-year-old daughter, Reavis made a difficult choice to …
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‘Zombie invasion’ theme for new Cave City hayride
Zombies will invade rural Arkansas in October. These aren’t just any ordinary zombies — these guys are armed with laser guns. Throughout the month of October…
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Event celebrates rice’s diversity, economic benefits
Derek Haigwood took a little time to sample a variety of rice dishes before heading back to his Jackson County rice farm to get on his combine. “To this commu…
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Jacksonville schools benefit from free food program
The Pulaski County Special School District, through the organization Feeding Children Everywhere, is providing food for children who might otherwise go to bed …
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Trapped but not alone: Group, legislator focus on improving state’s human-trafficking laws
Louise Allison was only 14 when she ran away from her Dallas home to get as far as she could from her abusive stepfather. During a recent meeting of the Cabot…
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Woman brings groups together to aid community
Colleen Caldwell noticed that several members of her church had lost their jobs and had no idea where to go for help. She decided to compile available resource…
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Parks director: Tourists often seeking special deals
Tourism is the mainstay of the economy of many rural areas of Arkansas. In fact, it’s a huge industry for the state — a $5.6 billion industry, to be exact, and…
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Exceptional performance: The artistic side of Cabot raises funds for center
When Alissa Coyle’s son, Donavon, was born 24 weeks into her pregnancy, he was four months premature and weighed only 1 1/2 pounds. After seven surgeries, he w…
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Parks director: Tourists often looking for special deals
Tourism is the mainstay of the economy of many rural areas of Arkansas. In fact, it’s a huge industry for the state — a $5.6 billion industry, to be exact, and…
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Searcy group helps those living with mental illness
Many people have a form of mental illness — some are high-functioning; some are not. Mental illness doesn’t discriminate, and it can affect a person’s mood, th…
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Exceptional work: Cabot center an extension of Lonoke Exceptional School
Joy Hobbs anxiously looked on as Mark Munholland hunched over her walker. Using black zip ties, he attached a basket to her walker. The basket was yellow, but …
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C-130 crew offers the ride of a lifetime
Walking around the body of a C-130 can be pretty humbling. The large body, so close to the ground, has a high-wing design and is perched upon big round tires.…
