As Clay County Arts Council scholarship applicants displayed in 2023, the future of arts utilization in career opportunities is expanding along multiple pathways. From the challenge of and appreciation for creating and playing music, to the use of painting and creative writing in marketing, and the boom seen in digital design, all have shaped the lives of the applicants.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call on May 3rd at 6:58 p.m. concerning a car hit by a train on County Road 478. The Sheriff’s Department, Rector Police Department, and Rector First Responders, responded to the call. Upon arrival they discovered 32-year-old Yolanda Handley of Springfield, Iowa, still in the vehicle. She was awake and alert. She was transported by ambulance to the Rector airport and airlifted to the Med in Memphis.
The following press releases were submitted by Clay County Sheriff Ronnie Cole. On Wednesday, May 3 at 11:12 a.m.
Hello Clay County Courier readers, We are getting closer and closer to summer vacation season! To bring in the season, the Arkansas Welcome Centers always celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week, an annual event that spotlights the essential role that travel plays in driving economic growth and innovation. This year we have partnered again with the Hemingway- Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center to sponsor a coloring contest with the third-grade class at Park Elementary School. Last year, each student colored a picture of the Hemingway- Pfeiffer House. This year, to celebrate Corning and Clay County’s Sesquicentennial, each student has colored a drawing of the old Romanesque Revival courthouse buildings that used to be in Corning and Piggott. The students’ art is on display in the Welcome Center and visitors can vote on their favorite, with the winner receiving a prize at the end of the week.
On May 7, 2023 at 2:06 a.m. a Clay County deputy observed a Yukon on the side of the road on Highway 49 at Hargraves Corner. As the deputy approached the vehicle he observed a male subject in the vehicle with a burnt glass pipe with a white powdery residue. When he came into contact with the subject he identified as 68-year-old Charles R. Camp of Piggott. After a search of the vehicle, a small container with a white crystal-like substance, and a Smith & Wesson automatic pistol were found. Mr. Camp was arrested on following charges: Felony possession of drug paraphernalia, Felony possession of a controlled substance and simultaneous Possession of drugs and firearm and was transported to Greene County Sheriff’s Department.
Corning Mayor, Greg Ahrent confirmed that during the public meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, May 8, prior to the regular council meeting, the city council voted to move the Corning Police Department to the former Doni Martin Center building at 2300 W. Main Street in Corning.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Department is pleased to announce the jail training course that is required for new jailers began on Monday, May 8 at 8 a.m. The training consists of 56 hours and will last the entire week. Senator Blake Johnson, Rep. Jeremy Wooldridge and Public Safety Director Mike Hager were instrumental in getting the training class scheduled quickly. Sheriff Ronnie Cole states, “This is another obstacle out of the way to opening the jail.” In addition to Johnson, Wooldridge and Hager, the Sheriff’s Department also appreciates the City of Piggott for the use of City Hall to conduct the training course.
By GAYLA JOHNSON Times-Democrat News The Clay County Detention Center hosted an open house on Sunday, May 7, invited the public to view the renovations made to get the jail reopened. A large number of people throughout the county flocked in to see the newly redone facility.
On May 8th, 2023, at 4:53 a.m. a Clay County Sheriff Deputy observed a white Dodge pickup with a tail light out at the stoplight in Corning. The deputy tried to make a traffic stop and the vehicle took off. A pursuit began that went down several city streets running numerous stop signs. The speeds reaching 60 to 70 MPH. The vehicle went north on West 1st Street and went through Corning Cemetery hitting a concrete pole at the end of the street. The subject then tried to cut through the cemetery and got stuck. The driver then surrendered to the deputy at gunpoint. Driver of the vehicle was 40-yearold Miguel Angel Davis of Corning. A loaded AR15 and .45 caliber pistol with body armor were found in the front seat of the vehicle. It was found he had a misdemeanor warrant for failure to appear out of Clay County. He was charged with felony fleeing, felony criminal mischief 1st degree, no proof of insurance, failure to stop at a stop sign three times, driving on suspended driver’s license, defective vehicle equipment and driving left of center. The deputy was assisted by the Corning Police Department. Mr. Davis was transported to the Greene County Sheriff’s Department.