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Finding Their Heaven On Earth; Parkers Are The 2026 Johnson County Farm Family Of The Year

June 20, 2026

COMMUNITY FEATURE COVERAGE  by Janice Penix Shane and Amber Parker had always planned to move to a quiet, country farm when they became empty-nesters. Living in a spacious home on Piney Bay in eastern Johnson County, the two had ample room to raise their daughter – and Shane’s three older daughters – with plenty of…

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Bigger Than The Game; Westside’s Ayla Highfill Cherishes Friendships Forged Through Sports

June 16, 2026

SPORTS FEATURE COVERAGE – SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE Local sports coverage made possible in part by our community sponsors by Janice Penix Sports were a part of Ayla Highfill’s life for as far back as she can remember. A talented athlete for the Westside Lady Rebels, Highfill excelled in both softball and basketball, earning all-conference honors four…

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Clarksville Opens Long-Awaited Baseball Complex

June 16, 2026

COMMUNITY COVERAGE  Clarksville Mayor David Rieder (front, center) cuts the ribbon signifying the official opening of the Clarksville Baseball Complex on Thursday, June 11. City officials, community members and representatives of the Johnson County Boys Club participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony, sponsored by the Clarksville-Johnson County Chamber of Commerce, and toured the new facility…

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JC Quorum Court Celebrates Completion Of Projects

June 16, 2026

QUORUM COURT COVERAGE – SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE by Janice Penix The Johnson County Quorum Court celebrated the completion of two capital projects during its monthly meeting Thursday, June 11. The renovation and expansion of the Johnson County District Court was completed last month, with the courtroom subsequently moving back to Porter Industrial Road. Court staff offices…

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Hartman Council Reviews Water Loss, Ordinance Questions

June 16, 2026

CITY COUNCIL COVERAGE – SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE by Megan Wylie The Hartman City Council met Monday, June 8, and reviewed water department finances, discussed potential regulations for small residential structures, and received updates on park improvements and other city projects. Mayor Jackie Weathers reported the city’s water department ended the period with a loss of $18,132.41,…

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Lamar Board Approves Purchase Of Court Projection System

June 16, 2026

SCHOOL BOARD COVERAGE – SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE by Janice Penix Members of the Lamar School Board approved the purchase of a court projection system for the high school gymnasium at their monthly meeting Wednesday, June 10. The Luxedo Court Projection System is an immersive audio/visual setup that will allow the school to offer professional, three-dimensional visuals,…

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Lamar Council Agrees To ADEQ Order

June 16, 2026

CITY COUNCIL COVERAGE – SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE The Lamar City Council approved a consent administrative order from the Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) during its monthly meeting Tuesday, June 10, to address noncompliance with wastewater treatment regulations. In January 2023, the city and ADEQ executed a consent administrative order which assessed a penalty of $5,400…

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Franklin County Pays Off Building Loan Early

June 16, 2026

QUORUM COURT COVERAGE – SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE by Robbi Roberts Exciting news was announced by Treasurer Shelly Wilson at the Franklin County Quorum Court meeting Thursday, June 11, in Charleston. Wilson reported her office received a $302,000 check from the solar rebate, which was in turn given to Bank OZK as the final payment for the…

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The Heart Behind The Hustle; Addison Phillips Leaves Lasting Impact At Clarksville

June 9, 2026

SPORTS FEATURE COVERAGE – SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE Local sports coverage made possible in part by our community sponsors by Janice Penix For some athletes, ability comes naturally. Addison Phillips is one of those athletes. But her success wasn’t just the result of her natural talents, it was the culmination of the hours of hard work she…

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Council Approves Rezoning But Tables Special Permit For RV Park

June 9, 2026

by Janice Penix The Clarksville City Council approved a rezoning request during its monthly meeting on Monday, June 8, that will allow property off South Rogers Street to be utilized as an RV park, but members stopped short of authorizing a related special permit request. Council member Ed Bradley was elected to chair the meeting…

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Area Sports

Bigger Than The Game; Westside’s Ayla Highfill Cherishes Friendships Forged Through Sports

SPORTS FEATURE COVERAGE – SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE Local sports coverage made possible in part by our community sponsors by Janice Penix Sports were a part of Ayla Highfill’s life for as far back as she can remember. A talented athlete for the Westside Lady Rebels, Highfill excelled in both softball and basketball, earning all-conference honors four…

Read More

The Heart Behind The Hustle; Addison Phillips Leaves Lasting Impact At Clarksville

SPORTS FEATURE COVERAGE – SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE Local sports coverage made possible in part by our community sponsors by Janice Penix For some athletes, ability comes naturally. Addison Phillips is one of those athletes. But her success wasn’t just the result of her natural talents, it was the culmination of the hours of hard work she…

Read More

Setting A Standard: Kaz Crotts Didn’t Let A Setback Hinder His Success

by Janice Penix Heading into his senior year at Lamar, Kaz Crotts had every reason to believe the year could be his best yet, both on the football field and the basketball court. But an injury in the Warriors’ third game of the football season last September sidelined the standout athlete for months, forcing him…

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The Quiet Leader; Braydon Sampley Embodies The Hillbilly Spirit

by Janice Penix Offensive linemen are often the unsung heroes on a football team. If they do their jobs well, fans get to see the quarterback, receivers and running backs shine. Linemen don’t typically see their names in the news, or get the spotlight in the statistical columns. Their job is to make sure everyone…

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Lady Warriors End Season With State Tourney Loss

The Lamar Lady Warrior softball team fell to Smackover 4-2 in the opening round of the 3A State Tournament on Thursday, May 14. The Lady Warriors finish the season with a 25-4 record. “Unfortunately our season came to an end in the first round of the state tournament,” Coach Haley Lyle said. “It just wasn’t…

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Softball Sisters: Addie And Tenley Hardin Share The Field For One Season

by Janice Penix Sisters Addie and Tenley Hardin have played softball since they were five years old. Both were standout athletes in the Johnson County Girls Club league, the Lamar Youth Association and on multiple travel teams. Their parents, Adam and Casey Hardin, have logged thousands of miles driving to ball fields around the state…

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Lady Warriors Are Regional Champions; Allow Just One Run From Three Tournament Opponents

The Lamar Lady Warriors dominated in three games as they took the 3A-1 Regional Tournament championship at Greenland last week. The Lady Warriors defeated Lincoln, Lavaca and Booneville, allowing just one run over all three games, to win the tournament. They will face Smackover in the first round of the 3A State Tournament in Harrison…

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Lady Panthers End Season In Regionals

The Clarksville Lady Panthers’ season came to an end in the first round of the 1-4A Regional Softball Tournament on Thursday, May 7, in Gentry as they fell 16-6 to the number two seeded Gravette Lady Lions. Brylyn Kremers got the start in the circle, going the distance and giving up 16 runs (11 earned),…

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Westside Sr. High Competes At Conference Meet

The Westside High School track teams competed at the 2A-4 Conference Meet, hosted by Acorn at Mena, on Tuesday, April 28. The Lady Rebels placed third as a team, while the Rebels took fifth place. Freshman Brieann Cole led the girls team, earning first, second, third and fifth place finishes. She won the high jump…

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CHS Softball Picks Up Pair Of Conference Wins

The Clarksville Lady Panther softball team wrapped up the regular season with wins over Waldron and Dardanelle in conference action last week. The Lady Panthers will compete in the first round of the 4-4A District Tournament this week in Dardanelle. Clarksville will face the sixth seed at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Waldron The Lady Panthers picked…

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Area News

Finding Their Heaven On Earth; Parkers Are The 2026 Johnson County Farm Family Of The Year

COMMUNITY FEATURE COVERAGE  by Janice Penix Shane and Amber Parker had always planned to move to a quiet, country farm when they became empty-nesters. Living in a spacious home on Piney Bay in eastern Johnson County, the two had ample room to raise their daughter – and Shane’s three older daughters – with plenty of…

Read More

Clarksville Opens Long-Awaited Baseball Complex

COMMUNITY COVERAGE  Clarksville Mayor David Rieder (front, center) cuts the ribbon signifying the official opening of the Clarksville Baseball Complex on Thursday, June 11. City officials, community members and representatives of the Johnson County Boys Club participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony, sponsored by the Clarksville-Johnson County Chamber of Commerce, and toured the new facility…

Read More

JC Quorum Court Celebrates Completion Of Projects

QUORUM COURT COVERAGE – SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE by Janice Penix The Johnson County Quorum Court celebrated the completion of two capital projects during its monthly meeting Thursday, June 11. The renovation and expansion of the Johnson County District Court was completed last month, with the courtroom subsequently moving back to Porter Industrial Road. Court staff offices…

Read More

Hartman Council Reviews Water Loss, Ordinance Questions

CITY COUNCIL COVERAGE – SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE by Megan Wylie The Hartman City Council met Monday, June 8, and reviewed water department finances, discussed potential regulations for small residential structures, and received updates on park improvements and other city projects. Mayor Jackie Weathers reported the city’s water department ended the period with a loss of $18,132.41,…

Read More

Lamar Board Approves Purchase Of Court Projection System

SCHOOL BOARD COVERAGE – SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE by Janice Penix Members of the Lamar School Board approved the purchase of a court projection system for the high school gymnasium at their monthly meeting Wednesday, June 10. The Luxedo Court Projection System is an immersive audio/visual setup that will allow the school to offer professional, three-dimensional visuals,…

Read More

Lamar Council Agrees To ADEQ Order

CITY COUNCIL COVERAGE – SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE The Lamar City Council approved a consent administrative order from the Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) during its monthly meeting Tuesday, June 10, to address noncompliance with wastewater treatment regulations. In January 2023, the city and ADEQ executed a consent administrative order which assessed a penalty of $5,400…

Read More

Franklin County Pays Off Building Loan Early

QUORUM COURT COVERAGE – SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE by Robbi Roberts Exciting news was announced by Treasurer Shelly Wilson at the Franklin County Quorum Court meeting Thursday, June 11, in Charleston. Wilson reported her office received a $302,000 check from the solar rebate, which was in turn given to Bank OZK as the final payment for the…

Read More

Council Approves Rezoning But Tables Special Permit For RV Park

by Janice Penix The Clarksville City Council approved a rezoning request during its monthly meeting on Monday, June 8, that will allow property off South Rogers Street to be utilized as an RV park, but members stopped short of authorizing a related special permit request. Council member Ed Bradley was elected to chair the meeting…

Read More

Westside Board Approves Math Curriculum Purchase

by Janice Penix The Westside School Board approved the renewal of math curriculum during its monthly meeting Tuesday, May 26, after administrators said the materials have resulted in improved test scores. Superintendent Brad Kent said the i-Ready math curriculum the district has utilized for several years may not be the most popular among all teachers,…

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Ozark Board Honors Teachers Of Year

by Robbi Roberts The Ozark School Board recognized Teachers of the Year for each campus at its monthly meeting May 18, and for the first time, a district teacher of the year was named. Cindy Kramer, high school teacher of the year, was named the Ozark School District Teacher of the Year. Other building-level recipients…

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