Saline River News

Bradley County crews work to clear access at critical facilities following winter weather

Bradley County crews work to clear access at critical facilities following winter weather

WARREN, Ark. — Bradley County Road Department crews, working alongside County Judge Klay McKinney, spent Sunday clearing driveways and parking lots at vital service locations across the county following hazardous winter weather conditions. According to a post from the Bradley County Courthouse, efforts focused on ensuring access to essential facilities, including the Bradley County Medical…

Moro Bay State Park Discourages Visitation as Sleet Conditions Worsen

Moro Bay State Park Discourages Visitation as Sleet Conditions Worsen

MORO BAY, Ark. – Officials with Moro Bay State Park are urging residents to avoid travel after worsening sleet conditions overnight into Sunday left roads unsafe across the park and surrounding areas of southwestern Bradley County. In a social media post shared Sunday morning, park representatives said road conditions were not safe for visitors and…

County warming center open as slick road conditions develop across Bradley County

County warming center open as slick road conditions develop across Bradley County

WARREN, Ark. — Bradley County officials confirmed Saturday afternoon that a warming center is open as winter weather continues to impact the area and road conditions worsen. According to an update from the Bradley County Courthouse, the Bradley County Services Building, located at 302 Smith Road, is open to the public for anyone needing a…

Bradley County to Open Warming Center if Power Outages Occur

Bradley County to Open Warming Center if Power Outages Occur

WARREN, Ark. — Bradley County officials say a warming center will be opened if power outages occur as winter weather impacts the area. According to a statement shared by the Bradley County Courthouse, the Bradley County Services Building, located at 302 Smith Road, will serve as a warming center if electricity is lost. County officials…

Community Grieves After Fatal House Fire in Banks

Community Grieves After Fatal House Fire in Banks

BANKS, Ark. — A late-night house fire in Banks claimed the lives of a pregnant mother and her one-year-old child Wednesday evening, with the unborn child also lost in the incident, according to a fire report from the Banks Volunteer Fire Department and information provided to Saline River News. Firefighters were dispatched at approximately 8:53…

Dry Conditions Persist as Wildfire Danger Remains Elevated Across South Arkansas

Dry Conditions Persist as Wildfire Danger Remains Elevated Across South Arkansas

WARREN, Ark. – Dry weather conditions continue to grip much of Arkansas, keeping wildfire danger elevated across the state and prompting burn bans in several counties, according to the National Weather Service Little Rock and the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division. For residents in Bradley County, wildfire danger is currently classified as moderate, consistent…

Banks Announces Winner of Christmas Coloring Contest

Banks Announces Winner of Christmas Coloring Contest

BANKS, Ark. — The Town of Banks has announced the winner of its Christmas Coloring Contest, recognizing the artwork of Geneva Stoughton, age 12. Town officials shared the announcement on social media Tuesday afternoon, thanking all who participated and voted in the contest. Geneva’s winning entry featured a brightly colored Nativity scene with animals gathered…

Saline River News Wishes Readers a Merry Christmas

Saline River News Wishes Readers a Merry Christmas

As Christmas Day arrives across Bradley County, Saline River News extends warm Christmas wishes to its readers throughout Warren, Hermitage, and surrounding South Arkansas communities. Christmas is being observed across the county through family gatherings, church services, shared meals, and long-standing traditions that mark the season each year. For many, the day offers an opportunity…

NOAA: White Christmas Unlikely for Arkansas in 2025

NOAA: White Christmas Unlikely for Arkansas in 2025

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Those dreaming of a white Christmas in Arkansas will need to keep dreaming this year. According to the National Weather Service office in Little Rock, the chances of snow on the ground across Arkansas on Christmas Day in 2025 are effectively zero. Forecasters say high pressure is expected to dominate the…

Bradley County marks 185 years since its establishment

Bradley County marks 185 years since its establishment

Dec. 18, 2025, marks the 185th anniversary of Bradley County’s establishment, a moment that came when Arkansas was still a young state and south Arkansas remained largely frontier, shaped as much by policy and promise as by wilderness. When Bradley County was created on Dec. 18, 1840, the land was dense with pine and hardwood…

Kendall Rawls named 2025 Bradley County Officer of the Year

Kendall Rawls named 2025 Bradley County Officer of the Year

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Special Agent Investigator Kendall Rawls of the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office has been named the 2025 Bradley County Officer of the Year. The announcement was made this week by the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office, which congratulated Rawls on the honor and recognized his service to the county. As part of the…

Banks Volunteer Fire Department Awarded 2025 Wildland Fire Suppression Kit Grant

Banks Volunteer Fire Department Awarded 2025 Wildland Fire Suppression Kit Grant

BANKS, Ark. — The Banks Volunteer Fire Department has been awarded a 2025 Wildland Fire Suppression Kit Grant, a boost that town officials say will significantly enhance the department’s ability to respond to wildland fires. According to the announcement shared by the Town of Banks, the department received official notice that its grant application had…

Pritt in Race for County Judge

Pritt in Race for County Judge

Editor’s Note: This announcement was submitted by the candidate’s campaign. All statements are the candidate’s and have not been independently verified by Saline River News. Article submitted by the candidate Andrew C. Pritt of Warren has officially announced his candidacy for Bradley County Judge in the March 3 and November 3, 2026 elections as a…

‘Mr. Tomato’ John Gavin to Retire Dec. 31 After Four Decades with Extension Service

‘Mr. Tomato’ John Gavin to Retire Dec. 31 After Four Decades with Extension Service

Article submitted Bradley County Extension Agent John Gavin has announced his retirement effective December 31, 2025. Gavin began his career with the Extension Service in Nevada County in 1985 where he stayed for 4 years before transferring to Union County.  His last move was to take a job in Bradley County as an Agriculture/Community Development Agent.  He was…

Bradley County Courthouse Announces Thanksgiving Closures and Adjusted Trash Pickup Schedule

Bradley County Courthouse Announces Thanksgiving Closures and Adjusted Trash Pickup Schedule

WARREN, Ark. – 11-19-25 — The Bradley County Courthouse has announced its schedule for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, including closures and adjustments to trash pickup routes for county residents. According to the notice, the Bradley County Courthouse and the county landfill will be closed on Thursday, November 27, and Friday, November 28 in observance of…

Bradley County 4-H Explores Early Botanical Medicine Practices

Bradley County 4-H Explores Early Botanical Medicine Practices

WARREN, Ark. – Bradley County 4-H members stepped back in time this week as they explored how plants and natural extracts were once used for everyday medicine. During the educational session, instructor Jessica Green introduced students to the basics of botanical medicine, demonstrating how common herbs were historically prepared to treat minor ailments. Participants put…