Stories from Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Here's a shot of the Grand Dame of Eureka Springs, the Crescent Hotel, with St. Elizabeth Church just in front to the left. This is an interesting view of early Eureka Springs. This picture is taken from a postcard. The back reads, "GRAY, Photographer and Publisher. For Eureka Springs, Ark. The All-Year Health and Pleasure Resort. 'Gem of the Ozarks.' " (Photo courtesy of Carroll County Historical Society)...

Today is my one-year anniversary at Carroll County News. It has been wonderful. It's hard for me to believe that I was graduating from college a little over a year ago with no idea what I would do or where I would go. With a little money saved up, I planned to live as frugally as possible while searching for jobs. I didn't think this would drive me crazy but it certainly did...

OK ... so I know that back when we were freezing in February, I wished for 100-degree days. And while I don't think we've actually hit the century mark here in Carroll County yet this summer, I can now officially say I've had my fill of the heat. Yes, I'm the guy who's never satisfied with the weather. It's too cold or it's too hot, approximately 10 months out of the year...

Four students from Carroll County received degrees during commencement exercises May 2 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. Brittney Adams of Berryville received a Master of Arts in Teaching; Erik Castillo of Green Forest received a Bachelor of Business Administration; Emily Perkins of Berryville received a Bachelor of Science; and Allyson Worley of Green Forest received a Master of Science...

Madison County District Judge Dale Ramsey announced he is running to serve in a new district judge position that covers all of Carroll and Madison counties. Currently, three part-time judges, including Ramsey, preside over the three District Courts in Berryville, Eureka Springs and Huntsville, as well as the City Court in Green Forest. The courts and their staffs are not changing. However, beginning in 2017 a single full-time judge will travel between all four courts...

A consulting firm hired by the Holiday Island Suburban District Board of Commissioners has recommended more than $2 million in improvements to the district's golf operations at Holiday Island Country Club. The findings were discussed at a public meeting on July 21 at the country club...

It's a bad time to be a drug dealer in Green Forest. In an effort to combat drug abuse, the Green Forest Police Department has trained and certified two K-9s. One dog, Sniper, is a Belgian Malinois. The other, Bentley, is a German Shepherd. Green Forest Police Chief John Bailey acknowledged that the subject of K-9s is contentious in Carroll County. ...

The temperatures for the first month of summer were relatively pleasant, but as we get later into July, things are beginning to heat up. With that added warmth, local high school football coaches must keep a watchful eye on their players so they don't get heat exhaustion...

Have no fear; the Winrock Foundation is here! After receiving a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Little Rock-based foundation has chosen to help three Arkansas communities develop a strategic economic plan. These communities are Berryville, Eureka Springs and Mulberry...

Four cowboys and two cowgirls from Carroll County competed at the Cowboy Mounted Shooting championships last week in South Dakota, and they came away winners. Scoring is based on how quickly you are able to get through the course and how many balloons you are able shoot. If you are unable to shoot a balloon, a five-second penalty is added onto your time. There are six divisions to compete in, depending upon where your skill level falls...

There has been a lot of talk concerning Caitlyn Jenner being given the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYS last week. I am not hear to talk about that. I am here to shed light on the story of Devon and Leah Still, a story that is being overshadowed by Jenner...

Aspen Briscoe knew that no matter what happened when she went to bowl at the Junior Gold Championships in Chicago last week, it would be a learning experience for her. "It was something I had never experienced before," Briscoe said. "The houses were packed with people from everyone trying to get in there. It was crazy."...

In less than a week, four sports will be able to begin organized practices for the 2015-2016 school year. While the players are enjoying every last minute of summer they can, the coaches are looking forward to getting back to what they enjoy most. "I look at these as my own kids," Green Forest golf coach Kyle Farrar said. "Being able to see them succeed and know that I had a small hand in it is very rewarding."...

Bodies of water and I haven't been getting along well recently. A few weeks ago, I lost my glasses floating down the Buffalo River. Getting a new pair cost around $150. This weekend, I lost a little bit more money thanks to my friend and the Table Rock Lake Ski Patrol...

The Berryville Bobcats traveled to Branson, Mo., for a two-day football camp last week, and coach Austin Winters was pleased with what he saw from his team. "It was a two-day camp, so we had the opportunity to get a lot of work in and see a lot of different teams," Winters said. "We saw multiple offenses and several defensive looks as well, and I thought we adjusted well over the two-day span."...