LITTLE ROCK – The recidivism rate for Arkansas prison inmates is 46.1 percent, a rate which the head of state prisons called unacceptable. Prison officials appeared before a joint meeting of legislators to discuss estimates of growth in the state’s inmate population.
Maurice Robinson of Benton, Arkansas, formerly of Success, competed in the 10th annual Prairie Spirit Trail 100 Mile on March 26. During the race runners do an out-and-back, beginning in Ottawa, Kansas and traveling south to Iola (100 milers), Garnett (50 milers), or Richmond (50K), then, back north to the finish on a crushed limestone trail, with asphalt paths through each town.
The Corning Taco Bell was notified that it has become a Signature Restaurant. Tuesday, March 29, 2022, the owner of the restaurant, Jackie McClure and Area Manager, Heather Long arrived at the restaurant with pizzas, balloons, cookies and cupcakes to celebrate the staff earning this impressive award. McClure thanked the employees and told them that the work they do is important. Long addressed the staff saying, “I just want to say thank you, every one of you guys. I know like these last couple years for sure have been really, really tough in general in life and especially in our business, but you guys have all stuck it out with us for the most part. We’ve kept all the same people, and Cassidy I know it’s been really hard for you to maintain the managers you’ve had. And this is a big accomplishment for us. So thank you. I just appreciate you all.”
Bradford Pear trees in bloom on the Victory Golf Course at the M.B. Ainley, Jr., Community Center.
Clay County Quorum Court met in regular session at 7:00 p.m., Monday, March 21 at the courthouse in Piggott with all justices present. The agenda was brief and began with the justices adopting an ordinance to amend the personnel policy of Clay County effective March 21, 2022.
The Peach Orchard Volunteer Fire Department reported they responded to an early morning structure fire on Locust Road. When the fire department arrived at 6:35 a.m. the house was fully engulfed. The caller was unsure of numerics but the structure was determined to be owned by Blake Dodd. Photo Courtesy/ Dianne Neill
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Spring is here and with its arrival area gardens will be planted. A short meeting was held on Sunday, March 27 at the M.B. Ainley, Jr., Community Center at 3 p.m. concerning the Corning Community Garden. The garden is located at the corner of Magnolia and Crafton Streets in Corning. The purpose of the garden is to feed and serve local families. The garden thrives on volunteer workers donated time, as well as seeds, soil and materials. Attendees at the meeting discussed planting for the 2022 garden. Master Gardener, Ryan Carter created an approximate 1:1 blueprint of the garden with field measurements as visual of the garden’s potential plantings. Carter said, “I would like to really focus on vegetables people really enjoy, so they all actually get eaten. Feeding the community is really the goal.”
The Corning High School Future Farmers of America recently celebrated FFA Week 2022 which was designated for February 19-26. Due to winter weather, Corning FFA Advisor Sarah Green said some activities were postponed for a later date. Before the winter weather set in FFA members enjoyed Greenhand Day, where first year agriculture students have the opportunity to earn their Greenhand FFA Degree by completing a list of requirements. In recognition of their achievement, their hands are painted green. There was also a Teacher/ Staff Appreciation Breakfast on Wednesday, February 23, as FFA provided breakfast for teachers and staff to show appreciation of their support and all they do for the student body throughout the year.
The Corning City Council met on Monday, February 14 at 6 p.m. at City Hall. Mayor Greg Ahrent brought the meeting to order and began with Old Business of gym equipment. The discussion included how the city had purchased mats and revised a list for $72,000, which was $10,000 cheaper than the original according to City Clerk, J’Anna Couch. Mayor Greg Ahrent told the council, “The door will be around $3,500 dollars but that also depends on the type of lock we get. This will be double wide with a peg. This is for the door and instalment as well.”