By The Arkadelphian

For the Week in Clark County History, we combed through bound copies of the Daily Siftings Herald, housed in the archives of Riley-Hickingbotham Library at Ouachita Baptist University. We choose some front-page news from editions dating back 10, 15 and 20 years ago.

10 years ago in Clark County

Aug. 7, 2012
The Southern Soul Festival was held in Gum Springs, drawing a crowd of some 600 people to the RLB Family Park.

Aug. 8, 2012
Arkadelphia residents had used 40.3 million more gallons of water this summer than they had three summers prior, utilities manager Brenda Gills said.

Glen Beedle resigned as Arkadelphia’s city treasurer.

A grant for the DeSoto Bluff property was in its design phase, with plans to advertise for project bids in the fall.

Aug. 9, 2012
11,000 pounds of watermelon arrived at the Caddo Valley branch of the Arkansas Food Bank for distribution to the needy in the area.

Aug. 13, 2012
Congressman Mike Ross was the keynote speaker at the 17th annual Clinton Day Dinner.

Henderson’s Barkman House was selected as the Clark County Historical Association’s Christmas ornament.

The summer was recorded as one of the hottest and driest in Clark County history.

15 years ago in Clark County

Aug. 13, 2007
Former Arkansas Gov. Jim Guy Tucker was the keynote speaker at the 12th annual Clinton Day Dinner.

20 years ago in Clark County

Aug. 7, 2002
Dead birds found in Clark County and throughout the state were being tested for the West Nile Virus. None of the birds tested from Clark County tested positive.

Aug. 9, 2002
The Bill McDowell Family of Palmetto Road was selected as the Clark County Farm Family of the Year.

Army worms were wreaking havoc on local hay crops.

Aug. 12, 2002
DeGray Lake Resort State Park unveiled its first yurt in the Caddo Bend campground, the first of any of its type in Arkansas.

Aug. 13, 2002
Arkansas First Lady Janet Huckabee handed over the keys to the governor’s mobile home, in which they resided for 16 months while the governor’s mansion underwent renovations, to the DeGray Lake campus of the Arkansas Sheriff’s Youth Ranch.