Highlights from Arkadelphia’s city board retreat
Highlights from the 2026 Arkadelphia Board of Directors retreat held Aug. 15
Arkansas Advocate: Nearly $150 million awarded in rural health program funding
Arkansas awarded $149.3 million in federal funding to 50 projects to support rural healthcare efforts statewide, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Thursday
Arkansas Advocate: House Armed Services chair urges defense industry to rebuild stockpile
South Arkansas is a hub for defense contracting with Lockheed Martin, L3Harris and Raytheon facilities all located in the Camden area
Dispatch Desk: Man arrested for drunk-dialing 911
The following incidents were gathered from reports filed Aug. 17-23, 2026, at the Arkadelphia Police Department and Clark County Sheriff’s Office
13 weeks of GriefShare sessions start Aug. 31
Arkadelphia’s First Baptist Church will offer the grief support ministry, GriefShare, for 13 weeks starting Monday, Aug. 31, for anyone who has experienced the loss of a spouse, child, family member or friend
Okolona under boil order
Effective 11:17 a.m. Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, Okolona Waterworks was placed under a boil order by the Arkansas Department of Health
Poll: Cotton behind, Sanders not far ahead
Sen. Tom Cotton and Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders are definitely still the favorites to win in November. But the election just got more interesting.
Will El Niño bring winter precipitation?
The current hot weather pattern in Arkansas is not driven by El Niño; however, it may bring much-needed precipitation at the end of the year.
Dispatch Desk: Police probe 2 reports of car theft on North 10th Street
The following incidents were gathered from reports filed Aug. 10-16, 2026, at the Arkadelphia Police Department and Clark County Sheriff’s Office
Flock Safety cancellations a drop in the bucket
At least six Arkansas communities have stopped using Flock Safety public surveillance and license plate reader cameras since July 24, but will a backlash ever occur regarding modern life’s other, much bigger privacy encroachments?
All the News that Fits: HSU, OBU move-in days on horizon; sawmills coping with poor market
Here’s a look at headlines around the area and state for Friday, Aug. 14, 2026
Clark County’s labor force at 9,900 in June; jobless rate climbs to 5.3%
Clark County’s unemployment rate for June 2026, not seasonally adjusted, was at 5.3%, according to a preliminary county-by-county report released by the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services
Clark County Jail Bookings: July 28-Aug. 10, 2026
The following people have recently been booked into the Clark County Detention Center on Crittenden Street in Arkadelphia
Child Safety Center sets date for annual fundraiser
The Percy and Donna Malone Child Safety Center has set the date for its 2026 Denim & Diamonds fundraiser benefitting children and families impacted by abuse
Arkansas Advocate: Petitions for Arkansas direct democracy proposal fall short, secretary of state says
All signatures submitted in favor of putting on the November ballot a proposal to strengthen Arkansas’ initiative and referendum process were tossed because none of them were countable under state law, the secretary of state’s office announced Thursday
UADA sheds light on muscadines and more for grape, wine lovers
By the time Lee Ann and Russell Matson had reached the end of their first season as vineyard keepers, they knew they needed some help
States Newsroom: Number of unauthorized immigrants hit new high of nearly 16 million in 2024, report says
The unauthorized U.S. immigrant population grew to its highest level ever by mid-2024, increasing to 15.8 million after hovering at about 11 million since 2010, according to data released by a nonpartisan think tank that tracks migration
Arkansas’ smoking ban just turned 20. Can the state find common ground on public health again?
Just 20 years ago, trying to avoid smoke in Arkansas was an onerous task
We’re not going to balance the budget
Let’s be honest: The federal government probably will never balance its budget again, so eventually there will be a debt crisis. Times will be harder, and Uncle Sam will not be able to bail us out.
Chasing cats after hours offers sweat-free summer angling opportunity
Arkansas weather has finally reached the melting point for even the most dedicated daytime anglers, but there’s still a way to supply a late-summer fish fry with tasty fillets
Clark County Jail Bookings: July 20-26, 2026
The following people have recently been booked into the Clark County Detention Center on Crittenden Street in Arkadelphia
Got a teen starting high school this fall? Family life expert has some tips for parents.
Parents should prepare to be intentional and ask their high school students a lot of questions
Dispatch Desk: Waitress loses tips and phone to thief who asked for a glass of water
The following incidents were gathered from reports filed July 20-26, 2026, at the Arkadelphia Police Department and Clark County Sheriff’s Office
Arkansas Advocate: An Arkansas community founded by Italian immigrants becomes a flashpoint over ICE
Immigrant advocacy group boycotting 127th annual Tontitown Grape Festival
23andMe reaches settlement over nationwide data breach that affected 48,000 Arkansans
A settlement was reached between 42 states and 23andMe, a genetic-testing company whose data breach impacted some 6.9 million Americans
Arkansas schools can apply for fresh fruit and vegetable program funding
The program reimburses schools for fresh fruits and vegetables served free to students in grades K–6 during the school day, outside of breakfast and lunch meal periods
Save on back-to-school spending during tax-free weekend starting Aug. 1
Arkansas families planning for back-to-school shopping can take advantage of the 2026 Arkansas Sales Tax Holiday, which runs Aug. 1-2
New history book highlights Clark County notables — including outlaws, crooks and rascals
The Clark County Historical Association announces the publication of a new book, Clark County Notables: Pioneers, Businessmen, Builders, Farmers, Politicians, Historians, Soldiers, Outlaws, Crooks, Rascals, and Other Memorable Characters of Yesteryear by Wendy Richter
Real Estate: Libation station officially moving across Pine Street after property swap
Clark County real estate transactions recorded Aug. 1-27, 2026, having a value of $100,000 or greater
Clark County prosecutor gives update on drug task force seizures
In the past fiscal year the Group 6 Narcotics Enforcement Agency opened 299 new cases and closed 219 cases with arrests
Hope man dies in crash
Wet roads were a factor in a deadly crash in rural Hempstead County on Wednesday night