News

Most people think that training a dog is teaching them to sit, stay, come and heel. Maybe even a trick or two like roll over or shake. There is so much more to a dog’s behavioral wellness than teaching basic commands. Researching your dog’s breed and what they were bred to do can help you ensure your dog is happy, healthy and well-trained. Look at what they were bred to perform and teach related activities. This helps them burn off some brain and body energy and keep them free from boredom...

Victims of 9/11 honored.

With the summer ending and thoughts of cooler weather on our minds, it seems that many of us tend to forget about gardening. We still have a month or so of hot weather ahead of us. Water is still important to the lawn and garden at this time. Remember that trees and shrubs that bloom in the spring are setting flower buds now. If the plants get too stressed and shut down early, this will affect the blooms next spring...

Earnest Scott Pierce, 51, of Harrisburg was killed in a single vehicle accident on State Highway 163 in Poinsett County. The crash happened at 6:30 p.m. on September 9. Pierce was southbound when his vehicle drove left of the centerline crossing over into the northbound lane before veering off the road and hitting a tree. The vehicle traveled 75 feet before slamming head-on into the tree...

Hayley Plunk of Harrisburg has been named to Southern New Hampshire University's summer 2021 President's List. Eligibility for the President's List requires that a student accumulate an academic grade point average (GPA) of 3.7-4.0 and earn 12 credits for the term. Learn more at www.snhu.edu...

Poinsett County will have a commodity distribution on September 22, 2021 starting at 9:00 a.m. and ending at noon or until food supply is gone. This will be a DRIVE-THRU DISTRIBUTION. There will be three locations to choose from, Marked Tree Fire Station, 102 Liberty, Marked Tree, Trumann Sports Complex, 16179 Pecan Grove Road, Trumann and Weiner City Hall, 123 W. 2nd Street, Weiner...

Car destroyed by fire in Trumann.

With the help of the citizens of Trumann, the Trumann Police Department arrested three individuals suspected of breaking into Checker’s Pizza this past Monday morning. During the crime, at least two of the suspects looked directly into the surveillance camera lens. Police shared images of the alleged suspects on social media Tuesday in hopes that someone would recognize them...

The Trumann Fire Department is set to participate in the 9/11 stair climb in Little Rock again Saturday. “We missed last year because of COVID restrictions and we are looking forward to the event,” Trumann Fire Chief Revis Kemper said. The climb is being held at War Memorial Stadium and will consist of 110 total stories of climbing stairs around the stadium. ...

Representative Johnny Rye receives special award.

I found a reference in a pet magazine referring to Whisker Stress. I had never heard of “Whisker Stress in Cats”. I did some research and found out it is real. The following article explains whisker stress and how to prevent in your cat. Whisker stress, also known as whisker fatigue, is caused when a cat’s whiskers brush against the sides of her dish while eating. ...

New furniture store opens in Trumann.

Harrisburg seniors decorate on campus parking spaces.

Research on Covid-19 and spread from people to animals is ongoing. We do know that it can spread from people to animals in some situations. A small number of pets worldwide, including cats, dogs and ferrets have been reported to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, most often after close contact with people with COVID-19...

State Rep. Johnny Rye appointed to new committee.

Poinsett County Fair draws thousands of thrill seekers.

Sergeant Shane Blagg recently retired from the Trumann Police Department after 28 years of service to the city. A retirement party was held on August 20 for Blagg where he was presented with his service weapon, badge and police department patch encased in a shadow box by Trumann Police Chief Jonathan Redman. “Thanks Trumann for letting me serve you. It's been a pleasure to serve the citizens and the community. Again, thank you Trumann,” Blagg said...

The Trumann Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for the 38th Annual Wild Duck Festival to be held Saturday, October 9 at the Trumann Sports Complex, 16179 Pecan Grove Road. The festival is set to start at noon. Midway locations for vendors, nonprofits, etc. ...

Dogs make wonderful things happen in our lives. Dogs give us a sense of purpose -Dogs make us feel needed and loved. Everyone needs to feel needed. Dogs provide that feeling, because they depend on us for food, shelter, medical care, playtime, and love. ...

Rep. Rye discusses pay of police.

The addition of the Main Street Learning Park adjacent to the Poinsett County Cooperative Extension Service in Harrisburg brings with it the opportunity to build youth organizations across the county according to Jeffrey Works, County Extension Agent – Agriculture / 4-H. “The park will be used as a venue for youth activities, including, but not limited to 4-H”, Works said...

Jordan Ratton of Marked Tree was sentenced to 30 years in prison this past Monday after pleading guilty to first-degree murder for the beating death of Mack Rhoads in April 2020. Ratton killed Rhoads during an aggravated robbery at Rhoad’s home in Marked Tree. Rhoads was found beside his head with blunt force trauma to his head. Rhoads was 87...

With the opening of dove season in a few weeks archery season right around the corner, outdoorsmen and women have begun their yearly migration to the woods to prepare deer camps and hunting spots for the upcoming season. From the people I’ve talked to so far, it seems that we have an ample crop of deer and a bumper crop of ticks and chiggers. Taking a few precautions can make your outdoor experience more comfortable and reduce the chance of contracting a tick-borne disease...

Many Americans look to the Labor Day holiday weekend as the unofficial end of summertime. No matter how you plan to celebrate the end of the season this year, make sure you plan it safely. This Labor Day weekend, law enforcement in Trumann are participating in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over impaired driving awareness campaign, which runs from August 18 through September 6, 2021. ...

Your dog is barking to come in the door, you open it and wow they smell like a skunk. My biggest nightmare is five dogs sprayed by a skunk. Here is a popular and effective de-skunk recipe: one quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide, one-quarter cup baking soda and one teaspoon of liquid dish washing soap...

The Harrisburg School Board met in regular session Monday, July 19, 2021 in the Central Office Board Room. The following members were present: Jeb Bass, Ashley Rowton, Kurt Johns, and Bridgett Hewitt. Nacole Sweeney was absent. Superintendent Chris Ferrell discussed the Employee COVID-19 leave Resolution and the COVID-19 Exposure Control Plan. Ferrell asked the board members to discuss it with the community and get opinions on the matter. No action was taken...

London White of Trumann recently completed the 42nd edition of the Arkansas Governor's School (ASG) during the summer 2021 at Arkansas Tech University. AGS serves selected students from around the state during the summer before their senior year in high school. The Arkansas Department of Education Gifted and Talented Programs administrator supervises Arkansas Governor’s School with assistance from an advisory council...

Joseph Burnsed, 35, was arrested August 12 after Jonesboro police officers went to the Amberwood Cove area due to a call about two people breaking into vehicles. When officers got to the scene, one of the suspects took off running as did Burnsed. An officer gave chase to Burnsed through some backyards before Burnsed fell into a large thorn bush and began to yell before rolling down the hill and landing in a concrete ditch...

In his fourth year as the coordinator for the Trumann Community Garden on Douglas Street, Jacob Sawyer recently gave an update on the garden. Three years ago, the Trumann Food Pantry wrote a grant proposal for the "Blue and You" initiative through Blue Cross and Blue Shield for $25,000 and the city of Trumann allowed the use a plot of land at the 400 block of Douglas Street with the city maintaining the yard outside of the 100' x 100' community garden. ...

The Trumann City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. in the courtroom of the Judicial Complex. Council members Hazel Riley and Dwight England were absent. Before any business was heard, Mayor Barbara Lewallen presented the council members with an offer on two properties that the city owns. Therefore, she requested the agenda be amended to add these offers. The council approved the request...

This past Monday was the first day of school for the four schools in Poinsett County. With the Delta Variant roaring its ugly head, Trumann, Harrisburg and Marked Tree all reported good days after the PCDT reached out to each superintendent. At Trumann, Superintendent Brandie Williams said her school got off to a successful start. ...

You haven’t missed it. The Poinsett County fair this year is August 24-28. You still have time to put together your items to exhibit in the educational building as well as to prepare your animals for show. The following is an abbreviated list of rules for the livestock show: for a full set of rules and information please go to www.poinsettcountyfair.info...

Until further notice, regardless of vaccination status, students are required to wear a mask or face covering (a) while attending school or a school function in any school building, facility or other area of a school campus, and (b) when riding in school-provided transportation. ...

The East Poinsett County School District posted on the school Facebook page their COVID Leave Policy and their District Mask Policy for the 2021-2022 school year. The COVID Leave Policy for faculty and staff who are ordered to quarantine by a doctor or the district point of contact (POC) due to COVID will not have to use their personal sick days to cover the absences. ...

In a specially called school board meeting tonight (8-10), the Marked Tree school board voted to require all students and staff to wear masks unless they are outside or can maintain social distancing while inside. All guests will be required to wear a mask when visiting the school. Superintendent Matt Wright said the policy would be revisited if the COVID numbers started trending downward...

Cody Cagle, 32, of Trumann was arrested this past Monday on suspicion of possession of meth or cocaine less than two grams, possession of a Schedule III drug less than two grams, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a Schedule IV or V drug less than 28 grams. Cagle was arrested after a traffic stop on Highland Drive in Jonesboro...

The Trumann School Board met in special session this past Wednesday and passed a Mask Mandate Resolution. The resolution shall be effective from August 12, 2021 until the end of the 2021-2022 school year. The resolution will provide an avenue to review the district mask mandate (and Opt-Out option) approximately every 30 days or at each regularly scheduled meeting of the Trumann School District Board of Directors. ...

Five generations gather for special photo.

“From Pioneer Days to Modern Ways” is the theme for this year’s Poinsett County Fair that is set to begin August 24 and run through August 28. Here is a schedule of events for each day. Tuesday, August 24: Educational Exhibit registration 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Rabbit and poultry exhibit check-in, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Fair officially opens, 5 p.m. along with Educational Exhibits opening at 5 p.m...

The Poinsett County Quorum Court met in regular session this past Monday night at the Poinsett County Detention Center. All justices were present for the meeting. The court heard an ordinance to establish a special revenue fund to be called the Main Street Park Fund. Monies in this fund will go to help with the new Learning Park that is being built by the Poinsett County Extension Service...

One of my cat clients was in last week with their cat Speck. They noticed some small black dots on his chin and around his mouth. The small bumps did not seem to cause him any discomfort. They wanted to know if something was wrong with Speck’s chin...

Vaughn Ford of Marked Tree was recently honored with the Ford President’s Award. The company also celebrated 50 years as a family owned and operated business in Poinsett County. The Ford President's Award is awarded to Dealers who provide the highest level of customer service, customer satisfaction, and overall customer experience every day. ...

Been getting a few calls recently. What is this sappy mess dripping out of my pecan trees, and what can I do to stop it? The answer is aphids, and the options are limited when it is a mature pecan tree in your yard. Aphids are soft-bodied, sucking insects that appear in the summer and fall. ...

The East Poinsett County School District posted on the school Facebook page their COVID Leave Policy and their District Mask Policy for the 2021-2022 school year. The COVID Leave Policy for faculty and staff who are ordered to quarantine by a doctor or the district point of contact (POC) due to COVID will not have to use their personal sick days to cover the absences. ...

In a specially called school board meeting tonight (8-10), the Marked Tree school board voted to require all students and staff to wear masks unless they are outside or can maintain social distancing while inside. All guests will be required to wear a mask when visiting the school. Superintendent Matt Wright said the policy would be revisited if the COVID numbers started trending downward...

Two Harrisburg men face several charges this past Wednesday after District Judge Tommy Fowler found probable cause to charge them. Matthew Tucker, 20 and Dylan Combs, 24, were charged with simultaneous possession of drugs and a firearm possession. They were also charged with possession of meth or cocaine greater than two grams but less than 10 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia. ...

A Special meeting of the Trumann School District School Board was held on July 29 with all board members present for the meeting. The board entered into a brief recess from 6:07 p.m. to 6:17 p.m. before hearing an expulsion hearing. The parents requested an open hearing. ...

Representative Johnny Rye presents flags Trumann, Poinsett County.

This week I want to talk about the hazards of retractable leashes. There are many horror stories about accidents to clients and their pets. I have heard from my clients and other veterinarians about retractable leashes. Here is a list of seven reasons why you should not use retractable leashes...

The Poinsett County Board of Election Commissioners is announcing that there will be a public meeting Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in the conference area of the Poinsett County Annex Building (located at 110 N. East Street in Harrisburg) for candidates in the Harrisburg School District to draw for their ballot positions for the 2021 Annual November School Election which will be held November 2, 2021. ...