A powerful storm system tore through Clay County and all of NE Arkansas on April 2, leaving destruction and setting the stage for what officials are calling “generational flooding.”
Back-to-back Bobcat home runs dominated the first inning as the Corning Bobcats drove past the Cross County Thunderbirds 12-2 in a five-inning, run-rule victory March 21.
For most of his life, John T. Wayne, born Terry Wayne Hammock, had no idea he was connected to Hollywood royalty. His father never spoke of it, and his grandmother, when pressed, would simply say it was “none of their business.” But after years of curiosity and research into his family tree, Wayne uncovered a long-buried secret that changed everything he thought he knew about his heritage.
Big changes are coming to your local newspaper, and we’re excited to share them with you. As part of CherryRoad Media’s Arkansas newspapers, we are moving to a digitally printed format. This transition allows us to bring you more timely news, with deadlines that ensure the most up-todate coverage possible.
Tucked away on Washington Street, Simply Floral has been a beloved part of the Corning community for years, providing fresh flowers, plants, tuxedos, silks and unique gifts. Owner Kim Hunt has dedicated herself to keeping the shop’s personal touch alive, ensuring that each customer leaves with something special.
Joe Boyd had only seconds to act when the March 14 tornado outbreak barreled toward his home on Highway 135. As the sky darkened and the wind roared, Boyd rushed his daughter Hannah to the bathtub for safety, then returned to the living room to check the weather—an action that nearly cost him his life.
John Middleton Clayton, the brother of General Powell Clayton, is considered by some historians to be the namesake of Clayton County, now Clay. John Clayton was a well-liked and respected Republican operative from Jefferson County. He tragically found his greatest renown when he was brutally assassinated in 1889 while investigating a stolen Conway County ballot box that helped defraud him of his U.S. Congressional race. The assassination remained purposely unsolved and the perpetrators were shielded by the local law enforcement, many of which were involved themselves. The corrupt election of 1888 and Clayton’s assassination cast a long shadow over the history of Arkansas, extinguished an emerging political revolution, and shackled the state to more than a century of nearly-unbroken one-party rule. To honor the legacy of one of Clay County’s possible namesakes, this is the story of John Clayton’s life and death.
David Smith retires from Clay County Electric after 56 years of service
In the heart of Corning, Young’s Auction and Resale isn’t just a store—it’s a family-driven mission to serve the community. Owners Mallory and Rodney Young, along with their children Josslyn and Jacob, have built a thriving business that offers everything from groceries and seasonal merchandise to kids’ toys and pet supplies. But beyond the shelves stocked with new products, the Youngs have woven a story of family, inclusion and giving back.