News

Carroll County Newspapers is partnering with AT&T and the Arkansas Newspaper Foundation to challenge Arkansas students to write an essay, editorial or opinion column about the dangers of smartphone distracted driving. The contest began Thursday, Sept. 13, and runs until Friday, Oct. 25...

Photo by Tavi Ellis Novaleigh Cline and Chris Segura package a head of lettuce into a clear clamshell for distribution at the Eureka Springs High School greenhouse on Tuesday morning. Their class is growing lettuce and other fresh veggies to complete the cafeteria’s salad bar...

Eureka Springs High School senior Kayden Eckman never expected to be accepted into West Point’s Summer Leaders Experience, a program where students experience life as a cadet at the United States Military Academy for a week. “I didn’t even think that was an option for me until last spring,” Eckman said...

Photo by Tavi Ellis Brew’s held its monthly art opening on Thursday, Sept. 13, celebrating several local artists’ painted works, including Teresa DeVito (center) who has just been welcomed as a regular member at Eureka Fine Art Gallery, owned by Brews art curator John Rankine (left). Pictured with them is watercolor artist Zeek Taylor...

The Eureka Springs School Board voted Monday to approve plans to remodel the elementary school. Superintendent Bryan Pruitt said the district has budgeted about $300,000 for the renovations. "After looking at our budget and our funds, we've been looking at remodeling the elementary school," he said. "It's just a tad bit dated. We would like to spruce that building up a little bit."...

The Eureka Springs School Board’s Monday night meeting was packed with volleyball players and their families, there to show support for former volunteer coach Penny Pemberton. The Citizen spoke with school officials, Pemberton and her supporters to determine the circumstances that led to her dismissal...

The Eureka Springs Cemetery Commission has met its fundraising goal and purchased a small tractor to fill graves and dig new plots on the cemetery grounds. Commission chairwoman Susan Tharp said the commission held a special meeting on Friday, Sept. 7, to approve the purchase of a 2010 Kubota tractor with 2,300 horsepower, a front-end loader and a box blade...

The Eureka Springs Hospital Commission is considering how to grow its money. On Monday afternoon, Equity Bank president Elizabeth Kelley described how the commission can increase the interest on its money market account. Since 2007 or 2008, Kelley said, interest rates haven’t been very good in general. Kelley said that’s changing, and the commission could benefit from it...

The Jazz Eureka Festival brought soulful sounds to town Sept. 13-15.

It’ll be a while before Damon Henke knows if he can acquire a conditional use permit to open a bed and breakfast at 19 Thomas Drive. On Tuesday, Sept. 11, the Eureka Springs Planning Commission denied Henke’s CUP application for three units of bed and breakfast lodging. The commission had twice deferred the application to receive input from city attorney Tim Weaver and the Arkansas Municipal League on a covenant saying the neighborhood should have only single-family homes...

Rhonda Dixon is one step closer toward installing a studio at her home at 327 Dairy Hollow, but not everyone supports the new addition. The Historic District Commission heard from Dixon’s neighbor, Buddy Boyd, who said he objected to the application. Boyd spoke at the commission’s meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 5...

Eureka Springs High School students have a special treat at lunchtime this year. Agriculture teacher Jason McAfee said his students have been growing lettuce for the cafeteria’s salad bar, saying he hoped that would happen when the greenhouse was built last year. It was his ultimate goal, McAfee said, and he’s proud of his students for accomplishing it...

Dedicated public servant Mary Jean Sell has died at 71. Mayor Butch Berry remembered Sell’s service to Eureka Springs, from her eight years as city clerk to decades of volunteerism. Berry said Sell was an important part of the city. “MJ was a very strong-willed woman, and she certainly had that personality as the city clerk,” Berry said. “She really knew what the rules and regulations were, and she made sure everybody lived by them.”...

Carroll County Newspapers is partnering with AT&T and the Arkansas Newspaper Foundation to challenge Arkansas students to write an essay, editorial or opinion column about the dangers of smartphone distracted driving. The contest begins Thursday, Sept. 13...

Diane Murphy and Debbie Davis welcome everyone to Wanderoo Lodge’s fundraiser benefiting the Eureka Springs Community Center Youth Program on Sunday, Sept. 9. The event featured live music, barbecue, cocktails, a bake sale, a cake walk, a bounce house and games...

Falcor (No. C18-0034) is a male Lab mix, approximately 3 years old. He has been around cats and walks well on a leash. His favorite movie is The Neverending Story. This sweet boy is waiting at the shelter, eager to meet his new family.  He is neutered and has his shots. He’s available for adoption at the Good Shepherd Animal Shelter on Highway 62 east of Eureka Springs. The shelter is open from noon to 5 p.m. every day but Tuesday and Wednesday. For more information, call 479-253-9188...

Catherine Luna is this week’s Citizen of the Week. Luna is the activities director for the Eureka Springs Community Center and has been working to offer programming such as walking fitness, Zumba classes, indoor soccer, swing dancing and pickelball. For more information on events at the community center, visit www.EurekaSpringsCommunityCenter.org...

The American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary of Post 9 of Eureka Springs will sponsor a Meet the Candidates forum at The Auditorium at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20. Candidates from all parties for federal, state and local government offices are invited to attend and take questions from the audience. Admission is free and all are invited...

Brian Young is moving up at the Eureka Springs Police Department. On Friday, Aug. 31, Mayor Butch Berry swore Young in as the new police chief, replacing former chief Thomas Achord. Berry said Young was the best choice. “He was, of course, the assistant chief of police, but being a graduate of Eureka Springs, he knows the climate here,” Berry said. ...

James Knight, director of the new Connect 4 program, said money is not what drove him to take the job. He is excited to help Carroll County students train for the future of industry. Knight said he was never interested in teaching growing up, but that changed thanks to the many mentors he has had throughout his professional career. He said he first started working in education at North Arkansas College (NAC) as a lab technician in the welding shop...

Eureka Springs High School students got a preview of the college experience on Wednesday, Aug. 29, thanks to a visit from Chancellor Joseph E. Steinmetz of the University of Arkansas. Superintendent Bryan Pruitt introduced the guest speaker, telling the high schoolers that the Eureka Springs School District wants to provide opportunities like this in recognition of the students’ work ethic and dedication to academics...

The Eureka Springs Planning Commission is waiting to move forward with a few CUP applications. On Tuesday, Aug. 28, the commission considered a CUP application for three units of bed and breakfast lodging at 19 Thomas Drive. The commission had previously deferred the application to receive input from city attorney Tim Weaver on a covenant saying the neighborhood should have only single-family homes...

Downtown Eureka Springs will be busy early next week. Sponsored by Main Street Arkansas, the Mississippi Main Street Association and the Louisiana Main Street Program, the tri-state Destination Downtown conference will be held in Eureka Springs from Sept. 9-12. Jacqueline Wolven, executive director of Main Street Eureka Springs, said the conference welcomes downtown enthusiasts from Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas...

Photo by David Bell A lovely bunch of coconuts and a Ukulele lady get along just fine at the Banjo Rally on Saturday, Sept. 1. Pictured from left are Denny Overstreet of Morton, Ill.; Athens Abell of Modesto, Calif.; Bill Ihnow of Morton, Ill.; and Doug Parsons of Waynesville, Ohio...

The Eureka Springs High School Rotary Interact Club will host its third annual 9-Hole Golf Tournament at 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 10, at the Holiday Island Golf Course. This will be a four-person scramble with a shotgun start to be played on the front nine of the 18-hole golf course...

Thomas Achord never planned to become police chief. “I didn’t come into this line of work to climb the ladder. I just wanted to be a cop,” Achord said. “I was in the right place at the right time, and I felt I could serve well.” Achord, whose retirement begins Sept. ...

The Eureka Springs City Council won’t be amending the code section on animals any time soon. On Monday night, the council heard from alderwoman Mickey Schneider about some proposed changes to the code. Schneider said she worked with animal control office Jim Evans, building inspector Bobby Ray and the police department to come up with the proposed changes...

The Eureka Springs Parks Commission is finalizing a plan for a shuttle service at Lake Leatherwood City Park to offer mountain bikers the full experience of downhill trails. Parks director Justin Huss said Aug. 21 he has been working on an agreement for the shuttle service, where the commission would work with Jim Nelson’s Shuttle Bug to get the service running. ...

The Lady Highlander volleyball teams took on Lavaca on Thursday, Aug. 23.

Mayor Butch Berry announced Wednesday that assistant police chief Brian Young is the new Eureka Springs chief of police. “Upon the retirement of Chief [Thomas] Achord, we sought the qualities of leadership, relationship within the community and experience in our incoming chief of police,” Berry said. “I believe Brian Young has these qualities and more required for this position. It is with pleasure that today I announce Brian Young as chief of police.”...

The new downhill mountain bike trails at Lake Leatherwood City Park have brought more thrill seekers to the region, and local EMS responders are always ready to help injured cyclists. Fortunately, Eureka Springs fire chief Nick Samac said at the Western Carroll County Ambulance District’s regular meeting Aug. ...

Photo by Tavi Ellis This old mechanic and his rusty bus have seen better days, but both still have charming character. That unique character was present in every corner of Eureka Springs during the annual VW Weekend Aug. 24-26, where all models, colors and variations of Volkswagens rolled around town...

Good Shepherd Humane Society doesn’t have to worry about finding money for vaccinations for a while. At the board’s regular meeting Aug. 22, Karen Welch announced that Good Shepherd has received a $3,000 grant for vaccinations. The grant was made possible in part by a grant from the Arkansas Animal Rescue Foundation of Little Rock, and the vaccinations will help take care of all the animals Good Shepherd takes in...

Photo by Tavi Ellis Diane Murphy, left, talks about the Eureka Springs Community Center’s founding member campaign at the Dine Around fundraiser Wednesday, Aug. 15, at Anglers Restaurant. From left to right are Murphy, Suzanne Reed, Kathy Remenar and Jean Elderwind...

Eureka Springs voters will have some decisions to make as they go to the polls for the November general election. Mayor Butch Berry is seeking re-election against two challengers, and there are four contested City Council races. Theodore Cottingham and Mike Seals are the challengers aiming to unseat Berry, who is seeking a second term as the city’s top official...

There are three mental health facilities in Carroll County, which local officials acknowledge is not nearly enough to serve the county’s population. Under a new state law, Washington County will use state money to establish a crisis stabilization unit, a place where police officers can take people who are experiencing mental health crises. ...

Carroll County voters may soon be able to cast their ballots at any polling site they choose in the November general election, regardless of where they live. The Carroll County Quorum Court on Monday night passed the first reading of a proposed ordinance that would establish “vote centers” for all elections in the county. The proposal will require two more readings and a final vote before becoming law...

The Eureka Springs School District advised last Monday that its Granny Fund has been depleted. The Granny Fund has been used to pay for school meals for children who cannot pay them. In 2016, the Granny Fund spent $3,100 to feed local children, and spent $4,600 in 2017...

The Eureka Springs Hospital Commission is waiting on Allegiance Health Management before moving forward with proposed renovations. On Monday afternoon, the commission voted to give Allegiance 90 days to evaluate four proposed plans for the renovations. Chairman Michael Merry said Diane Adler of Bates Architects will be meeting with Allegiance CEO Rock Bordelon in Shreveport, La., to discuss the proposed plans, saying he’s not sure when the commission will receive Allegiance’s input...

Photo by Tavi Ellis Eureka Springs artist Zeek Taylor names Terry Du Mantier’s piece ‘David’ the winner of the first place ribbon for works on paper at the Holiday Island Art Guild’s annual art show Thursday, Aug. 16.

The Holiday Island Elks Lodge #1042 will hold a pancake breakfast from 7 p.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, at 4 Park Cliff Drive in Holiday Island. There will be all-you-can-eat pancakes, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy, as well as juice and coffee. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children under 12. Proceeds from the event will help support Elks Lodge community programs...