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Talent finalists revealed
The 2011 finalists for the White River’s Got Talent contest have been announced and will compete for the title during the White River Water Carnival on Aug. 6.
This year, the contest drew dozens of entrants from a multi-county area, representing a variety of musical styles, instrumental pieces, and dance routines. “Although many talented performers auditioned, only 10 from each division can move on to the finals,” according to a news release from First Community Bank. -
8 district farm families selected
LITTLE ROCK (AP) — Judges will determine which of eight families have what it takes to be named the 65th annual Arkansas Farm Family of the Year.
Arkansas Farm Bureau officials announced the district winners on Tuesday and said the state winner will be revealed at the Farm Family of the Year luncheon on Dec. 9 in North Little Rock.
The district winners are: -
Headed for disaster: Team goes to help those in need
They’ve slept in the humblest of places: churches and even inside a jail. It doesn’t matter where they rest their heads. After all, they’ve come to work.
When disaster strikes, a dedicated team of volunteers from Batesville are sometimes first on the scene, but chances are you’ve never heard of them. -
Some rural post offices may close
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States Postal Service may be closing several area post offices, it announced Tuesday.
“As more customers choose to conduct their postal business online, on their smart phones and at their favorite shopping destinations, the need for the U.S. Postal Service to maintain its nearly 32,000 retail offices — the largest retail network in the country — diminishes,” a news release states. -
Disaster aid deadline nears
WASHINGTON — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced that producers have until Friday to apply for assistance for 2009 crop losses under the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments program, known as the SURE program.
The program provides crop disaster assistance payments to eligible producers on farms that have incurred crop production or quality losses.
“I encourage anyone with questions to visit their local USDA Farm Service Agency office,” Vilsack said. -
Man’s car discovered
The car of a missing Batesville man has been found, but Barry Treadway still has not been seen since July 19.
Cindy Treadway contacted the Independence County Sheriff’s Office on Friday and said no one had seen her son in three days. He was last seen by his brother who works with him at Bad Boy Mowers, she said.
She said her husband, Jerry, had seen Barry on July 15 and Barry’s roommates saw him on July 19. She also said she was concerned her son may have stopped taking his medication, and it was unknown if he had it with him. -
Moonshiner busted – Still found: 1 jailed
The finding of a moonshine still at the home of a Cushman man Tuesday morning was the direct result of a phone call from Cleburne County authorities, according to police.
Independence County Sheriff Steve Jeffery said his department got a call from Cleburne County detectives who said Brent Grissom had been selling moonshine liquor in their county and had possibly stolen a pistol there. -
Poultry chain auction set
ASH FLAT — The annual Sharp County 4-H Poultry Chain auction will be held Saturday, the final day of the Sharp County Fair, at 6 p.m. at the fairgrounds in the Paul Miller Poultry and Rabbit Barn, said Annie Lester, 4-H program assistant.
“Sharp County 4-H members have been working hard since April 15th, when each participant in this year’s poultry chain received 25-day old chicks.” Lester said. “The chicks are provided free to 4-H members who participate in the project; the only requirement is that each member agrees to bring three chickens back to the county fair. -
Crohn’s benefit concert is Friday
Local band The Wizzbangers will join with Crohn’s disease patient Bruce Oakley in a fundraising concert at 8:30 p.m. Friday in the old Landers Theater on Main Street in Batesville to benefit the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America.
Crohn’s disease is in a group collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease that afflicts 1.4 million Americans. The foundation raises funds for research, education and support programs. -
Woman drowns
HARDY — A 42-year-old Lonoke woman who was rafting on Spring River with her husband and 7-year-old son drowned Monday when she got wedged between rocks on Rio Vista Falls, near High Falls, said Hardy Police Chief Ernie Rose and Sharp County Sheriff Mark Counts.
Both sets of falls are upstream from and within sight of the four-lane bridge in Hardy.
The victim was Carla Jo Davenport, said county Coroner Doug Wortham. Her husband is Tommy Davenport.
Counts and Rose said the raft the Davenports were in got hung up on rocks at the falls. -
Juveniles cause $9K in damages at school
MELBOURNE — Two Melbourne juveniles allegedly caused $9,000 in damages when they broke into the Melbourne Elementary School Friday night.
The two boys, whose names are being withheld because of their age, have been charged with breaking, entering and criminal mischief at the Melbourne Elementary School.
The boys have been accused of breaking into the building and damaging more than $9,000 worth of computers and other technology equipment including interactive SMARTboards inside a few of the upper elementary classrooms. -
Churchill celebrates 100 years
CHARLOTTE — When LaUna Polston Churchill was a little girl, Charlotte was a two-day trip from Batesville by wagon, children attended school in a one-room schoolhouse, people raised most of what they ate and families lived by the creed: Waste not, want not.
Churchill will turn 100 years old on Aug. 11. Her home is much like any other grandmother’s house. It’s warm and comforting. Even the old gate to enter her yard brings a sense of nostalgia. She has lived there for 60 years.
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