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Month in Clark County history: August
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 August 1994:
• The 1994 Arkadelphia Fighting Badgers began practice for the upcoming football season under the direction of head coach and athletic director Ken Wheaton.
This “alligator” was spotted in the southern portion of the Ouachita River, prompting local police officers to investigate the possible danger posed to floating the river. However, it was discovered that the gator was actually made of a ceramic material. Authorities suspected the gator was probably a prank. | Janet Gade photo
• Welders helped assemble 50 new hog pens, 15 sheep and goat pens, and six pens for swine in preparation for the Clark County Fair in September of ’94. A new concrete slab measuring 75×60 feet was also poured at the fairgrounds.
Students at Goza Junior High School cross Caddo Street one morning, embarking on their first day of classes in the 1994-1995 school year.
In August 2004:
Members of the Arkadelphia High School band practice their new fall marching show in the school parking lot on a Monday morning. Sousaphone players Jacob Richards, left in top photo, Jeremy Simmons and tommy Johnson angled across the lot as the band worked on a new maneuver. Horn players, lower left photo, practice the “sumo move” for the show, Nathan Pounders, below, did double duty on the Chinese wuhun gong and the concert bass drum. | Jamie Ward photo
More than 1,000 athletes converged on DeGray Lake for the DeGray Lake Triathlon Festival. Events included the USA Triathlon Youth Development Series National Championships and the Half Iron National Championships.
In August 2014:
• The Garrison Center, a popular venue for students and community members, underwent major renovations to enhance its appearance. State Senators Bruce Maloch and Larry Teague were instrumental in helping Henderson State University secure $1.7 million in General Improvement funds from the state of Arkansas for the project. Improvements included brightly painted red columns, as well as the installment of a ballroom capable of accommodating 480 people. The Technology Center was moved to the second floor, and the year before a Starbucks and Chick-fil-A were built inside the Garrison Center.
Contractors with Valley Building Specialties worked to install windows on the façade of the Rosemary Adams Department of Visual Arts, formerly known as the Moses-Provine Hall, that houses Ouachita Baptist University’s arts program. | Joel Phelps photo
• Two new housing facilities were added for the beginning of the fall 2014 semester at Henderson State University. The HSU Board of Trustees approved a special bond issue to fund the construction of new student housing. Included in the plans for the bond-issue funding were a 240-bed apartment-style complex and a 300-bed traditional residence hall. The 300-bed traditional residence hall is located near the intersection of 12th and Wilson Streets and houses freshmen, sophomores and juniors. The Blackmon House and Oliver House were both razed to make way for the residence halls.
Below from left, Clark County District Judge Randy Hill, Lt. Jason “Shorty” Jackson and Sgt. Kevin Yeagle get doused in icy water at the Arkadelphia Police Department parking lot. Arkadelphia law enforcement officials joined others in the viral ice bucket challenge, which raised funds for various causes, mainly ALS research. Hill pledged a donation to ALS, while Jackson and Yeagle pledged donations to the Officer Down Memorial program. The trio challenged Chance Leamons of Southwest Probation, Clark County Sheriff Jason Watson and Prosecuting Attorney Blake Batson, respectively. Below, from left to right: Judge Hill, Lt. Jackson, and Sgt. Yeagle. | Joel Phelps photos
