For the Week in Clark County History, we combed through bound copies of the Daily Siftings Herald to choose some front-page news from editions dating 10, 20 and 30 years ago.
10 years ago: 2013
The Glen and Jacque Hill family of Manchester was named Clark County Farm Family of the Year.
Having accrued more than $9,000 in unpaid liquor taxes when it shut in 2010, Caddo Valley’s VFW was hoping to reopen under an agreement with the city to pay its outstanding fees.
Arkadelphia’s DeSoto Bluff Trail officially opened to the public following a months-long process of paving the path and installing guardrails along the bluff.
Among other changes, the Arkadelphia school board approved a proposed handbook rule providing a consent form for parents who didn’t want their kids’ picture in the local newspaper. Middle school students would no longer be allowed to wear hoodies, and high school teachers were given discretion to allow students to use cell phones in the classroom.
Jamaal Chappel, dubbed in news accounts as the “Nude Bandit”, was sentenced to 96 years in prison following a guilty plea to numerous charges of aggravated residential burglary. On several occasions between 2002 and 2004 Chappel broke into residents’ homes in the nude.
A new rule at Arkadelphia High School barred students from eating commercially produced food — from vending machines or from fast-food restaurants — during school hours. The new policy was in line with a state law pertaining to child nutrition.
Longtime Arkadelphia veterinarian Dr. James Waymack announced his retirement following a 46-year career.
20 years ago: 2003
Henderson State University unveiled its new education specialist degree geared for school principals wanting to obtain a superintendent’s license.
As Arkadelphia neared record rainfall amounts for a single month (15 inches; record was 16.6 inches), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers placed DeGray Lake under a “high water plan,” keeping a watchful eye on the lake and low-lying areas around it for potential flooding.
A dead bird infected with the West Nile Virus was discovered in Clark County, making the local find the fourth in the state. Residents were advised to take steps to reduce mosquito breeding grounds.
Arkadelphia police were investigating the theft of more than $10,000 worth of jewelry stolen from a display case at Walmart Supercenter.
30 years ago: 1993
A Clark County jury found 26-year-old Randy McArty guilty of first-degree murder in the shooting death of Teresa Chamberlain, suggesting McArty’s sentence be life in prison.
Hot Springs police arrested two men for operating a gambling house following weekend raids at “bingo halls” and veterans’ clubs. More arrests would come in the following days.
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