Saline River News

Celebrate Extension Homemakers Council Month in Arkansas This May

Celebrate Extension Homemakers Council Month in Arkansas This May

WARREN, Ark. — Extension Homemakers in Bradley County will celebrate their contributions and service to the community during May as Extension Homemakers Council Month in Arkansas. EHC is delivered through the Cooperative Extension Service, the outreach arm of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. Bradley County EHC clubs are among 320 clubs statewide, with…

Anxiety: When Is It More Than “Just Stress”?

Anxiety: When Is It More Than “Just Stress”?

I’m Dr. Russell Gregory, a Board-Certified Family Medicine Physician at the Bradley County Medical Center Rural Health Clinic in Warren. I’m a recent graduate of the UAMS Southwest Family Medicine Residency Program in Texarkana, Arkansas.  A couple weeks ago, Dr. Bradley Biggers opened our Community Health Column with an important discussion about high blood pressure…

Now or Never: What South Arkansas Gardeners Should Be Planting This Week (Zone 8a Guide)

Now or Never: What South Arkansas Gardeners Should Be Planting This Week (Zone 8a Guide)

Early May marks one of the most important turning points of the gardening season in south Arkansas. With warm temperatures settling in and the threat of frost long gone, local gardeners are entering a narrow but productive window to get summer crops established before the region’s intense heat arrives. For those gardening in Zone 8a,…

SAAC Announces 2026 Summer Camps Schedule in El Dorado

SAAC Announces 2026 Summer Camps Schedule in El Dorado

EL DORADO, Ark. — The South Arkansas Arts Center (SAAC) has released its full schedule of 2026 summer camps, offering a wide range of creative programs for students throughout the summer in El Dorado. According to information provided by SAAC, the camps are designed to give participants opportunities to explore interests in visual art, theatre,…

10 Years of Shortleaf Pine Restoration in Arkansas

10 Years of Shortleaf Pine Restoration in Arkansas

The Nature Conservancy, with partners and private landowners celebrate restoring Shortleaf Pine Forests LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Over the past decade, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and partners have restored or enhanced more than 1.58 million acres of shortleaf pine forest in Arkansas, largely through prescribed fire, sustainable timber management and targeted tree planting.  After decades…

Warren Branch Library Showcases Large Star Trek Book Collection for Local Fans

Warren Branch Library Showcases Large Star Trek Book Collection for Local Fans

Warren, Ark. — Science fiction fans in Bradley County have something new to explore at the Warren Branch Library, where a sizable collection of Star Trek books is now being highlighted for the community. The library recently announced that it has more than 100 copies of Star Trek titles available, offering readers a deep dive…

Reminder: Pioneer Crafts Festival set for April 10-11 in Rison

Reminder: Pioneer Crafts Festival set for April 10-11 in Rison

RISON, Ark. — The annual Pioneer Crafts Festival will return to Pioneer Village on April 10-11, offering two days of activities centered around crafts, homesteading, gardening, and traditional skills. The festival will begin Friday, April 10 at 5 p.m. with a beans and greens supper accompanied by live music. Events will continue Saturday, April 11…

Public Invited to Participate in Archaeology Training Program at Plum Bayou Mounds

Public Invited to Participate in Archaeology Training Program at Plum Bayou Mounds

The Arkansas Archeological Society is inviting the public to take part in its upcoming Training Program in Archeology, scheduled for May 30 through June 13 at Plum Bayou Mounds Archeological State Park. According to information released by the organization, the program offers hands-on archaeology experiences for participants ages 8 and up. The annual training program…

Late-Season Snowstorm of 1886 Left Its Mark on South Arkansas, Including Bradley County

Late-Season Snowstorm of 1886 Left Its Mark on South Arkansas, Including Bradley County

WARREN, Ark. (4-6-26) — While early April in South Arkansas typically brings thoughts of spring planting and warming temperatures, history tells a different story. On April 5, 1886, a rare late-season snowstorm swept across southern Arkansas, leaving measurable snowfall in areas not accustomed to such conditions so late in the year. According to the National…

Cattle Producers Across South Arkansas Continue to Face Drought Challenges Despite Rain in Forecast

Cattle Producers Across South Arkansas Continue to Face Drought Challenges Despite Rain in Forecast

WARREN, Ark. — Despite recent rainfall in the forecast, drought conditions continue to impact much of South Arkansas, including Bradley County and surrounding areas. According to information shared by the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association, 100% of the state remains in drought conditions, ranging from moderate to exceptional levels (D1–D4). In many areas, prolonged heat and lack…

Forging History: 5th Annual James Black’s Bowie Heritage Festival Returns to Washington, Arkansas April 24-25, 2026

Forging History: 5th Annual James Black’s Bowie Heritage Festival Returns to Washington, Arkansas April 24-25, 2026

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…

Pioneer Crafts Festival set for April 10-11 in Rison

Pioneer Crafts Festival set for April 10-11 in Rison

RISON, Ark. — The annual Pioneer Crafts Festival will return to Pioneer Village on April 10-11, offering two days of activities centered around crafts, homesteading, gardening, and traditional skills. The festival will begin Friday, April 10 at 5 p.m. with a beans and greens supper accompanied by live music. Events will continue Saturday, April 11…

Farmers, consumers may be riding the egg price waves in the coming months

Farmers, consumers may be riding the egg price waves in the coming months

By Mary Hightower University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.  — Egg prices are heading upward from their February dip, but consumers should get used to a price rollercoaster, said Jada Thompson, poultry agricultural economist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.  In February, prices declined to their lowest levels since 2023.   “Since then, they’re back up, likely due to Easter demand,” Thompson said on…

Arkansas Department of Agriculture Hosts Sixth Annual Free Tree Fridays in Recognition of Arbor Day

Arkansas Department of Agriculture Hosts Sixth Annual Free Tree Fridays in Recognition of Arbor Day

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is celebrating Arbor Day by launching its sixth annual “Free Tree Fridays” campaign, a statewide effort to encourage tree planting. Free bare root seedlings will be available to Arkansans every Friday from March 20 through April 24 at locations across the state. “Free Tree Fridays embody…

Archaeologist to present recent Plum Bayou Mounds excavations at University of Memphis

Archaeologist to present recent Plum Bayou Mounds excavations at University of Memphis

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The public will have an opportunity to learn about recent archaeological work at one of Arkansas’ most significant prehistoric sites during a free lecture later this month at the University of Memphis. Dr. Paige Ford, an archaeologist with the Arkansas Archeological Survey stationed at Plum Bayou Mounds Archaeological State Park in Arkansas,…

$1.9 Million Awarded to Study Use of Biochar on Water Quality

$1.9 Million Awarded to Study Use of Biochar on Water Quality

The EPA award will examine how adding biochar to poultry litter can limit runoff of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus to improve water quality. FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Environmental Protection Agency awarded almost $1.9 million to Shannon Speir, an assistant professor of crop, soil and environmental sciences at the University of Arkansas, to study how…

Extension spring break camps to focus on meat science, STEM, cooking and more

Extension spring break camps to focus on meat science, STEM, cooking and more

By Rebekah HallUniversity of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture LITTLE ROCK — Whether touring local meat processing facilities, attending livestock sales, foraging for edible plants or sharpening their culinary skills, Arkansas youth will have the chance to engage in hands-on learning this spring break. Seven Cooperative Extension Service county offices will offer a variety of…