Stories from Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Arkansas’ state budget has been a moving target for the past several months, and state Sen. Bryan King of Green Forest says much of the turmoil is related to the expansion of the state’s Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act. Arkansas first implemented the Medicaid expansion in 2013 through a compromise agreement often referred to as the “private option.” That plan allowed the state to use federal Medicaid-expansion funds to purchase private insurance on the state’s health insurance exchange, with the state paying a small percentage of the costs — gradually increasing from 5 percent in 2017 to 10 percent in 2020 and beyond.. ...

The Berryville High School band program is changing its tune this year under the leadership of its new directors. Brad Nelsen, the new high school band director, said his goal this year is to create a multifaceted band program that both entertains crowds and performs well at competitions...

As teachers at Green Forest schools prepare their classrooms for the new year, they are also preparing to implement a new program, Empowering Writers, aimed at increasing students’ literacy skills. Keri Tackett, the K-5 literacy instructional facilitator, said the third grade partially implemented the program last year and encouraged the administration to implement the program throughout the school system...

With Carroll County students returning to school soon, one thing is certain. The community has their back. Through a collaboration between Project Self-Esteem, Loaves & Fishes Food Bank and ECHO Thrift Store, local students in need are receiving backpacks stuffed with school supplies and a $20 voucher for school clothes. Sara Hodgeson, who works with Loaves & Fishes, said the food bank has stepped in to distribute the backpacks produced by Project Self-Esteem...

At Equity Bank, it’s not just about the customers. The bank takes customers’ pets into account, too. Between August and September, the bank will be celebrating pets at its branches in Berryville and Eureka Springs. Elizabeth Kelley, president of the Eureka Springs branch, said both branches will host events benefiting Good Shepherd Humane Society over the two months. The idea for the celebration, Kelley said, comes from the bank’s love of animals...

HOLIDAY ISLAND – Harlan Breaux of Holiday Island has announced he is a Republican candidate for state representative in District 97. The district includes parts of Carroll, Madison, and Washington Counties.  The seat is currently held by Rep. Bob Ballinger, who has announced he is running for a seat in the State Senate...

I don’t know about you, but I begin the year looking forward to the end of it. The fall is my favorite time of the year, mostly because it leads to Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Year’s Eve. My family is big on celebrating holidays, big or small, because it means we can get together for a meal. This year won’t be any different, but it will be the first time I’ve spent Thanksgiving with my family in a long time...

My high school class held its 30th reunion on Saturday. While I didn’t attend, it has been fun catching up with my old classmates via Facebook in the weeks leading up to the event. It has been interesting, too, seeing how some classmates’ appearance has changed dramatically while others don’t seem to have aged at all. ...

The directors have changed, but the Berryville High School band program is marching on. With Brad Nelsen as the new high school band director and Hayley Watson as the new middle school band director and assistant band director, students say the band program has changed in tune but has not fallen flat...

Timmy Ray Bohannan was born February 28, 1958 and passed away August 6, 2017 in Eureka Springs. The youngest son of Shirley Bohannan Evans and Addison Bohannan. A native of Eureka Springs, Timmy lived in the area his entire life and was a 1974 graduate of Eureka Springs Schools. Timmy spent his entire career working for Tyson Foods, retiring after thirty-eight years of service. He was a fisherman and hunter...

A week into fall camp Green Forest football coach Bobby Bishop isn't pleased with the turnout, but the group that has been in attendance has shown promise. "The numbers aren't good, but the concentration level has been real good," Bishop said. "We like what we see so far."...

The Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) found a way to make things even more complicated at Monday's annual meeting in Little Rock when it decided to pass Proposal No. 9. Berryville will remain in Class 4A for all sports, but Eureka Springs and Green Forest will be affected. These changes will take effect in the fall of 2018 and end in the spring of 2020...

First-year coach Doug Shott is looking for Berryville Bobcat football players to buy into what he is selling. Thus far, Shott says he has seen a great attitude from the team, but wants a stronger showing from at practices. The Bobcats have averaged around 26 players at practice and Shott hopes to see that number jump to 35 once the season starts...