As Arkansans gather to celebrate the Fourth of July, we are reminded that the spirit of independence lives in both our history and our land. From the Ozark trails to the Ouachita River, Arkansas offers some of the most spectacular outdoor experiences in the country. And this year, thanks to legislation passed during the 2025 Regular Session, we’re investing in that promise like never before.
The Knobel Mustang School Reunion was held July 5 at the M.B. Ainley, Jr. Community Center in Corning. The gymnasium was full of an estimated 180+ former students from the 1940s to the 1980s, many of them wearing Knobel Mustang T-shirts and caps. The last graduating class of Knobel High School was in 1985.
The Corning Beautification Committee has selected Olivia Murray as its July Artist of the Month. Her artwork will be on display throughout the month at the M.B. Ainley, Jr. Community Center.
The Eighth Annual Datto Fireworks Show sparked up Friday, July 4 at 9:00 p.m. with locals and out-of-town attendees lined up on Delmar Street for the show. The Town of Datto had a raffle for a Ranger .22 rifle which was won by Nathan Cochran, with the proceeds going towards next year’s fireworks.
On July 4, deputies with the Clay County Sheriff’s Department responded to a residence at 2466 County Road 247 in reference to a subject with an active absconder warrant.
At approximately 2:15 a.m. on July 8, a deputy with the Clay County Sheriff’s Department was patrolling West Allen Street in Rector when he observed a scooter traveling toward him in his lane of traffic without headlights.
The annual Clay County Field Day Tours will be held Friday, July 18 near Corning. The tour will showcase demonstrations of new corn hybrids, rice, and soybean varieties. Extension specialists will be on hand to give production updates. In addition, seed company representatives will provide information regarding their products.
Parkview Motel located at 1617 West Main Street has been in operation for 75 years as of July 1, 2025. Built on the junction of US 67 and 62, a traffic report from 2022 conducted by the Arkansas Department of Transportation stated that 7,300 cars pass by the motel every 48 hours. Corning was in 1950, as it is today in 2025 a midway stop for travelers between Little Rock and St. Louis (As of today, Corning lies 170 miles from Little Rock and 180 miles from St. Louis). Regardless if you caught a train on the Missouri Pacific Railroad or loaded up in your personal automobile and drove down US 67, Corning was your midway point which naturally led to the need to house the weary road or rail travelers who found their way here.
