COVID-19 still rises as state pushes tests

Only a small number of daily hikes of more than 100 cases blamed on reopening.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson continues to increasingly “open” the state for business, even though three times since May 11, Arkansas has experienced the most new community-based cases of COVID-19. Since March 11, the daily new-case count has risen to 100 or more only three times — May 11, May 13 and on Monday. But state Secretary of Health Dr. Nate Smith […]

Teacher ends 50-year career

Martha Marshall retires June 4 after working for Cabot High School since 1973.

Longtime Cabot educator Martha Marshall is retiring on June 4 after a 50-year career in teaching. She has overseen Cabot High School student-work programs and internships since 1973. “I take pleasure in seeing former students in their fifties grow up, work for a living and take a place in society. It is just fun,” Marshall said. “I hope I’ve done […]

Sipes tells fellow council members JPD overtime OK

Jacksonville mayor asked Legislative Audit to investigate improper pay for police officers.

A resolution calling for Jacksonville Council Member Gary Sipes to resign was withdrawn recently, according to City Attorney Stephanie Friedman, and problems at the police department he once led are not on the city council’s agenda for its meeting Thursday. However, Mayor Bob Johnson said a number of residents, through emailed public comments, have asked for Sipes to resign, and […]

Splash Zone opens Saturday

Jacksonville water park is set to welcome visitors at less than half capacity.

Splash Zone water park in Jacksonville is opening on Saturday for its 15th season, but will allow fewer people inside to maintain social distancing requirements to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The water park at 201 W. Martin St, is limiting capacity to 150 people instead of the maximum capacity of 353 people, to provide six feet of separation. The […]

Obituaries – May 20, 2020

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Rev. James Davis Rev. James Theo Davis, 82, of Cabot was born on July 20, 1937 in Pollard (Clay County) and left his earthly home for his heavenly mansion on May 15. Bro. Davis was 13 years old when he felt the call to the ministry and devoted the majority of his life to the work of the Lord. As […]

Catching up will be difficult

There is some well-founded indecision on the part of lawmakers, both here and abroad, as to when to reopen schools. Some European countries, such as Denmark, have already reopened. We are waiting for their reports. Here, most schools are taking baby steps toward reopening in the fall, if at all, while some states – Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska and Maine – […]

Police Reports – May 20, 2020

Traffic death • A Jacksonville man died Friday in a one-vehicle accident on Redmond Road. Donald Strong, 60, was driving a 2004 GMC Sierra south on Redmond Road at 9:15 p.m. The truck left the road on the east side and hit a tree. The weather was clear and the road was dry. Sherwood • Raequel Coleman, 25, was arrested […]

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