Stories from Thursday, July 4, 2024

Mike Clancy Crockett, 57, of Marked Tree was sentenced on Tuesday, March 25 to 13 and one-half years in prison after pleading guilty to stabbing his wife to death in 2022. Crockett pleaded guilty to murder-2nd degree in front of Circuit Judge Scott Ellington during a court appearance in Poinsett County Circuit Court...

The Poinsett County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after two bodies were found in a Lepanto home this past Friday morning. The Poinsett County Dispatch/911 Center received a 911 call around 9:00 a.m. that two bodies were found inside a home on Marlene Drive. Poinsett County Sheriff Kevin Molder said 39-year-old Ashley Rawls of Lepanto and 44-year-old Justin Wiggins were found dead inside the home. The sheriff’s office responded to assist the Lepanto Police Department with the investigation...

This week, the Joint Performance Review Committee received testimony from state and county election officials about the use of paper ballots and voting machines. The 94th General Assembly has been diligently working to pass legislation that ensures the security of our elections...

State Rep. Johnny Rye takes a break for a photo.

NEWPORT - Arkansas State University-Newport (ASUN) is thrilled to announce the launch of its latest course offering, "Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Productivity" (DASC1113), for the Fall 2024 semester. This innovative course, taught by Director of Instructional Design and Distance Education, Mark Hanan, is designed to equip students and community members with the knowledge and skills to leverage AI technology for enhanced productivity in both personal and professional contexts. ...

Poinsett County Sheriff Kevin Molder was the speaker at the Marked Tree Chamber of Commerce meeting on June 25. Molder spoke about the jail expansion and the 911 Center. Molder told the group that the jail expansion will add 20 female beds. The sheriff also talked to the group about the 911 Center. ...

Students on the Chancellor’s and Dean’s Lists for the spring 2024 semester at Arkansas State University have been announced. The lists recognize undergraduate students who achieved the highest grade-point averages while completing a minimum of 12 credit hours of study...

There will be a food distribution in Poinsett County on July 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. or until food supply is gone. This will be a drive-thru distribution. There will be three locations for pick-up: Marked Tree Fire Station, 102 Liberty; Trumann Sports Complex, 16179 Pecan Grove Road and Weiner City Hall, 123 W. 2nd Street...

A report released earlier this month by ArDOT will be giving state highway officials the proverbial road map on how and what projects to work on in the next few years, with a focus on several projects in Northeast Arkansas. Poinsett County has several projects on the list...

Fireworks are enjoyed year-round by people but can be a source of fear for many animals. More animals are lost on the Fourth of July due to being frightened by all the loud noises. It doesn’t have to be that way though, so don’t ignore the problem. Seek advice from your veterinarian about behavior or drug therapy to make this a not so frightening experience for your pet. ...

Everyone enjoys fireworks, particularly during the Fourth of July season. But some fireworks can be dangerous. The National Council on Fireworks Safety recommends that you only buy consumer fireworks from a licensed store or stand. Never buy fireworks from an individual’s house, or from someone on the street. Such fireworks are likely to be illegal explosives that can seriously injure you...

Local students were named to the Spring 2024 Dean's List in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas. To qualify for the Dean's List, the following local students achieved at least a 3.75 grade-point average for the semester while completing at least 12 credit hours...

The mandated dead period is almost over and teams will be back at it preparing for the upcoming football season. Poinsett County teams Trumann, Marked Tree, Harrisburg and EPC will have new faces this season and one team will join a new classification this season...

Tate Swink was a threat at the plate and on the mound this past baseball season for Marked Tree. Swink help lead the Indians to a 9-14 overall record while going 5-5 in 1A-3 conference play in his junior season. The Indians lost 7-5 in the district tournament before falling to West Side 11-1 in the 1A-2 Regional Tournament...