The Johnson County Republican Committee donated funds to God’s Pantry and the Hartman Food Pantry to help with holiday needs of the community. Accepting the check for the Hartman Food Pantry were (from left) Karen Kamp, Brenda Hurst, Patsy Evans, Wanda Weathers, Pat Riggans, Linda Haasis and Mignonne Morrow.

Blaine Holzman (right) was presented the first RFD 2 “Firefighter of the Year” award from Fire Chief David Raburn. Holzman has responded to the majority of the nearly 200 emergency calls this year. The award is slated to be presented annually. –Photo courtesy Tammy Warren

by Stephanie Baker First responders and other personnel from throughout the county met on Dec. 6 at the First Security Bank Community Room to participate in a tabletop exercise to prepare for the upcoming eclipse on April 8. The collaborative effort, led by Director of Emergency Management Rickey Casey and Deputy Director of Emergency Management…

by Stephanie Baker The Ozark Rape Crisis Center (ORCC) has been serving survivors of rape and sexual assault in Johnson County since 1999.   The Clarksville office is one in a network of three servicing eight counties in Arkansas. So far this year, the organization has helped 388 survivors, with 246, or 63 percent, of…

The Westside High School drama team and choir will perform an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” on Friday, Dec. 7. The performance will begin at 6 p.m. in the high school cafeteria, located at 400 AR 164, Hartman. Admission is free and the public is invited to attend. A synopsis of the play…

THANKSGIVING FUNDRAISER MEAL–The Johnson County Senior Activity Center hosted a Thanksgiving fundraiser meal on Friday, Nov. 17. The center raised $767 for center activities. Participating in the fundraiser were (from left) Nelda Havard, Deborah Reece, Karen Otten, Ira Spinley, and Lane McKinley.

“Sally Ann Hollow” — This photo showcasing the brilliant fall colors at Sally Ann Hollow, located on Forest Service Road 1426 near Hagarville, was chosen as the winner of The Graphic’s Fall Photo Contest. Tony Warren of Clarksville was the photographer who captured this image on Nov. 10.  Tony received a 1-year digital subscription to…

by Stephanie Baker The Johnson County Youth Coalition is a 100 percent volunteer-based organization dedicated to giving school age children access to clothing and basic needs. The organization supports Lamar, Clarksville, Westside, and Oark school districts in addition to MAC Industries, Forrester-Davis, and Ozark Rape Crisis Center, according to Monica Price, who founded the non-profit…

Tom Hughes of Ozone, a retired Fort Worth Police sergeant, was appointed county sheriff by members of the Johnson County Quorum Court during a special meeting Friday, Nov. 17. Hughes is also a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves. He will fulfill the remainder of the term vacated by Jimmy Stephens, who resigned…