Month in Clark County history: July

For the Month in Clark County History, we combed through bound copies of the Daily Siftings Herald housed in the archives at Ouachita Baptist University. Here are some front-page news briefs from editions dating 10, 20 and 30 years ago.

In July 1994:

• Officials and local business leaders turned out for the dedication of the gazebo park on the northeast corner of 6th and Main streets. 

At left, Mayor Kitty Holland presents a dedication plaque to Dr. and Mrs. Phillip Nix for their role in giving a portion of the property to Arkadelphia. | Janet Gade photo
No injuries occurred during an I-30 accident involving a 1948 Plymouth that was being towed by a 1994 Isuzu truck when the Plymouth began to sway in the traffic lane. The driver lost control and the Plymouth turned on its left side and onto the truck. | Janet Gade photo

• A 1984 Chevrolet Camero was found under about 30 feet of water near the Alpine Ridge area at DeGray Lake. According to the Clark County Sheriff at the time, Troy Tucker, the car had been stolen in 1989 and had been driven off a cliff into the water.

In July 2004:

• Renovations began at the Clark County Library, where workers replaced the roof and completed some outside upgrades on the century-old facility. The new roof was necessary because of “major” leaking that had been experienced in the building. Preventative measures were taken by the library’s staff to assure nothing was damaged. The upgrades were possible through grants from the Arkansas Department of Heritage totaling almost $100,000.

Steve Fellers photo
Caddo Balley Fire Department Capt. Terry Hearnsberger inspects an 8-inch shell that was one of many fireworks purchased for the annual July 4 display at DeGray Lake. More than $7,000 was spent on fireworks that year. | Donna Hilton photo

In July 2014:

Sweet Rides Abide: Festival-goers check out a souped-up car at the Annual Cruisin’ in the Park cars, blues and barbecue festival. The sultry summer weather didn’t keep attendance down in 2014. | Joel Phelps photo

• The new Cliff Harris Stadium was improving daily as the start of the football season fast approached. The stadium boasts 572 reserved seats, 312 of which included backs, with 260 reserved bleacher seats in the middle.

Joel Phelps photo

• A demolition crew razed the Horton House at 12th and Henderson streets. The 1930s-era structure had housed Henderson State University’s campus police department for many years. The corner property is now home to a nursing education facility.

Joel Phelps photo

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