We've recently partnered with the Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District (NWAEDD) and received a grant to partner with Retail Strategies Inc., to assess our downtown. We're excited about the potential benefits.

RUSSELLVILLE — Laiklyn Stephens picked up a runner-up award at the Class 5A State Track Meet held in Russellville.

QUITMAN — Members of Class 2A will be happy to see Yellville-Summit move to Class 3A next year.

An informal group of citizens will be hosting petition signing opportunities for Arkansas’s November ballot initiatives on the Harrison square, by the gazebo, on Thursdays 2 p.m - 6 p.m. beginning May 9. The group is currently, and will continue to host the signings on Saturdays 7 a.m.-Noon.

At least a couple times each month, I hear a group of veterans discussing the catch phrase, “Thank you for your service.” None of them seem to like hearing it and most say it makes them feel awkward trying to come up with a response. In fact, in my very first column some 4-1/2 years ago, I talked about this issue. Responding with “you’re welcome” to a stranger seems wrong somehow. I have tried several responses, but they all seem too little or like I am taking credit for something I don’t deserve. I finally settled on just smiling and nodding my head.

Today, May 4, Lead Hill Fire Departments Auxiliary Spring Flea Market is ongoing at the Fire Station. Doors opened at 8 a.m. They are serving breakfast and later lunch. Come check this event out.

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas lawmakers on Wednesday gave final approval to new restrictions on cryptocurrency mining operations after facing backlash for limiting local governments' ability to regulate them last year.

At the Thursday, April 25, regular session meeting of the Harrison City Council, two resolutions supporting new housing development projects were approved.

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of North Arkansas held their annual "Jeepin' for Casa" fundraising event on Saturday, April 20. Off-road enthusiasts gathered at North Arkansas College for a ride through the Buffalo River Valley.

This week, we are sharing a handful of photos from the museum's collection. The museum has many photos of scenes from the area from days gone by.

Lone Star, Laundry, and Bourbon will be performed at the 1929 Historic Lyric Theater on the Harrison, Arkansas Square May 2, 3, 4 at 7 p.m. and May 5 at 2 p.m. Tickets are on sale at TheLyric.org.

Wednesday night a discussion of the future of the Harrison square was held at the Brandon Burlsworth Youth Center.

Arkansas Legislative Audit (ALA) has released an audit report of Harrison House of Hope (HHH) this month. The report indicates there were concerns regarding the organization’s compliance with its funding program’s requirements and adherence to the group’s own bylaws during a review period of July 1, 2021— Nov. 30, 2023.