‘Find your spark:’ How to join an Arkansas 4-H club

By Rebekah HallUniversity of Arkansas Division of Agriculture LITTLE ROCK — With more than 650 active clubs in the state, Arkansas 4-H provides youth in every county with hands-on opportunities to develop life skills and serve their communities. Arkansas 4-H is a youth development program that offers hands-on learning opportunities to help kids grow into…

AGFC gives more than $690,000 from fines for education grants through the Division of Rural Services

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission in Little Rock voted unanimously Thursday to grant $690,625 to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s Division of Rural Services to distribute as conservation education grants for schools during the 2026-27 school year. The money was derived from all wildlife and boating violation fines collected in the state. By Randy…

Violent Habitual Offender Sentenced to 15 Years

Article courtesy of Frank Spain, Prosecuting Attorney, Tenth Judicial District On August 19th, 2026, an Ashley County jury found Rosario Ford Jr., a 34-year-old Crossett resident and violent habitual offender, guilty of multiple felony charges. The conviction stems from an investigation by the Crossett Police Department into a report from the victim regarding an incident…

Arkansas schools encouraged to enter AGFC’s Generation Conservation regional competitions

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has opened its application portal to the 2026 Generation Conservation Pre-Summit and Regional competitions, and interested schools have until Sept. 21 to register for the first round of competitions. By Randy Zellers, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. This year’s Pre-Summit and Regional competitions feature challenges ranging from cooking wild…

UAM Athletic Events to Be Streamed on GAC Sports Network

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. — The UAM Athletics Department elects to join the newly created GAC Sports Network powered by Hudl, as announced by the Great American Conference on Friday. Launching for the 2026-27 athletic season, the network will provide fans with comprehensive live and on-demand broadcast coverage from seven participating member institutions and selected GAC post-season…

Commercial Bank Donates Two New Personalized Tents to Hermitage Cross Country Teams

Article courtesy of the Hermitage School District: We are grateful to Commercial Bank for generously donating two personalized tents to the Hermitage School District Cross Country Teams! These tents will provide our student-athletes with much-needed shelter and a designated team space during cross-country meets. Thank you, Commercial Bank, for supporting our Hermitage athletes and investing…

Lumberjacks get valuable reps in annual preseason scrimmage with McGehee

The Warren Lumberjacks got valuable preseason reps Friday evening, Aug. 21, on the road at McGehee in their annual preseason scrimmage against the Owls. The matchup, which has become a yearly meeting between the two programs, gave both squads an opportunity to get live-action snaps before the regular season begins next week. Lumberjack Football Game…

As wildfire risk covers Arkansas, extension experts urge vigilance

By Ryan McGeeneyUniversity of Arkansas Division of Agriculture LITTLE ROCK — With all but six Arkansas counties under a burn ban as of Thursday and elevated risk of wildfires across the state, experts with the Cooperative Extension Service are urging residents to take precautions to protect their land, property and lives. Jaret Rushing, extension forestry instructor for…

Lawson wildfire burns approximately 2,200 acres; smoke, road closures remain concerns

EL DORADO, Ark. – Firefighters and emergency management officials remained on the scene Friday morning of a major wildfire in the Lawson community that has burned an estimated 2,200 acres. The wildfire is burning southwest of Moro Bay State Park and west of Strong, according to information available to Saline River News. Smoke from the…

McGaha Takes First Place in Season-Opening Golf Match at Monticello

MONTICELLO — Warren’s Rett McGaha opened the 2026 high school golf season in impressive fashion Tuesday afternoon, finishing in first place at the Monticello Country Club. McGaha fired an even-par round of 35 to claim the top individual spot in the season-opening event. Tuesday’s match marked the first competition of the season for both the…

Ashley County Jury Convicts Michael Hicks of Second-Degree Sexual Assault

Article submitted by FRANK SPAIN, Prosecuting Attorney, Tenth Judicial District HAMBURG, AR — A jury in Ashley County has found Michael Hicks guilty of sexual assault in the second degree following a trial in Ashley County Circuit Court before Judge Robert Gibson III. The conviction stems from a 2023 investigation by the Arkansas State Police…

UAM Volleyball Tabbed 12th in 2026 GAC Preseason Coaches Poll

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Great American Conference released its 2026 preseason volleyball coaches’ poll on Tuesday morning, with the University of Arkansas at Monticello voted 12th overall heading into the season. The Blossoms return to the court later this month under third-year head coach Arlicia Ortiz, riddled with newcomers and a new mindset. UAM concluded the 2025…

Warren Trio Wins Dr. Hugh Albert Nutt 3-Person Scramble at Fordyce Country Club

Three Warren golfers captured the Championship Flight title at the Dr. Hugh Albert Nutt 3-Person Scramble, held over the weekend at Fordyce Country Club. Hayden Lassiter, Wesley Richard and Rhett Clanton finished with a two-day total of 107 to claim first place in the tournament’s top flight. The Warren trio opened play with a 57…

Warren’s Tony Cathey Earns National Board Leadership Certificate

Warren resident Tony Cathey, president of the C&L Electric Cooperative Board of Directors, has earned the Board Leadership Certificate through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. The Board Leadership Certificate, or BLC, is awarded to electric cooperative directors who complete advanced education focused on issues involving cooperative leadership, governance and utility operations. To qualify for…

Wilson wins full State Senate District 1 Republican primary

Harrell Wilson has won the Republican nomination for Arkansas State Senate District 1, according to final district-wide results from Tuesday’s special primary election. With all 130 precincts reporting, Wilson received 3,111 votes, or 64.95 percent, while Missy Wardlaw received 1,679 votes, or 35.05 percent. A total of 4,790 votes were cast in the Republican primary…