Population growth is considered an important measure of progress in small towns and counties– one wants to feel one’s town isn’t ‘dying’ but growing instead. I remember in past decades, eastern Arkansas (the Delta) towns and counties were the places where the population was larger and the economies were booming.
Live sports can be wildly entertaining, giving viewers lots of ups and downs to enjoy (or endure). That emotional roller coaster has made live sports, and football in particular, especially popular among television viewers. Data from Nielsen indicates that the National Football league was responsible for 45 of the 50 largest Nielsen-measured sports audiences in 2022. In fact, the top 32 events were all NFL games, with the 2021-22 College Football Playoff National Championship Game between Georgia and Alabama coming in at no. 33 among the year’s most watched sporting events. Even the thrilling World Cup Final between Argentina and France was no match within the United States for the NFL, garnering 22.32 million viewers. By comparison, that year’s Super Bowl between the Rams and Bengals attracted 99.18 million viewers. Curiously, despite baseball’s designation as “America’s pastime,” Major League Baseball did not have a single game place among the 50 most watched sporting events of 2022.
Junior Benjamin, age 40, of Little Rock; hold for another county Wingo Jelk, age 34, of Pocahontas; driving while license cancelled, suspended or revoked-Class U (M) Tate Townsend, age 61, of Maynard; aggravated assault- Class D (F) Bucky Wilson, age 74, of Warm Springs; domestic battering in the Third Degree-Class A (M) Stephen Bradford, age 29, of Imboden; possession of firearm by certain persons (F), possession of drug paraphernalia Ashley Horn, age 30, of Pocahontas; theft of property (M) Justin Schoenfeld, age 34, of Conway; possession of sch 1 less 2 g Shyann Simms, age 29, of Pocahontas; possession of drug paraphernalia Ben Stephens, age 39, of Pocahontas; possession of drug paraphernalia Jack Krygowski, age 56, of Pocahontas; contempt of court (F) Cedric Dixon, age 51, of Pocahontas; petition for revocation Moises Perez, age 21, of Walnut Ridge; warrant FTA Hailey Greer, age 30, of Maynard; hindering apprehension or prosecution (M), driving while license cancelled, suspended or revoked-Class U (M) Ross Kiker, age 39, of Little Rock; absconding (F) Michael Austin, age 20, of Pocahontas; suspicion of murder, disorderly conduct (M)
Circuit Clerk, Debbie Wise, has announced the following named persons were selected, in accordance with Arkansas Code Annotated 16-32-105, to serve as Petit Jurors at the FEBRUARY 2024 term of Randolph County Circuit Court. They are ordered to appear before said Court at 8:30 a.m. on the first day of said term, which will be on the Monday February 12, 2024 to serve as Petit Jurors.
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Freda “Ivern” Rickelman, 90, of Machesney Park, IL, passed away on Monday, January 15, 2024, in her home. She was born on March 11, 1933, in Ravenden Springs, AR, the daughter of Lehman E. and Virgie (O’Dell) Guntharp. Freda married Carroll E. “Rick” Rickelman on May 4, 1961, in Belvidere, IL. She retired from Amerock.
Janet Lee Overstreet, formerly of Pocahontas, AR, passed away at the age of 76, January 13, 2024. She is survived by son, Jeff; daughterin- law, Jenni; grandsons, Garrett and Jake, all of Maumelle; only sister, Jeannie French of Hot Springs Village; her special cousin, Patsy Cooper of Jonesboro; many other cousins, nieces, nephews and beloved friends. She was proceeded in death by her dear parents, Dowell and Geneva Ramer, and her loving husband, Gary.
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved father, husband, and friend, Melvin Douglas Yamnitz, who left us on December 27, 2023. He was 81 years old.
Richard Allen Nichols, 74, of Pocahontas, Arkansas passed away on Monday, January 15, 2024, at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Richard was born on August 31, 1949, in Osceola, Arkansas to David Arthur and Marie Nichols.
Howard “Bo” Laverne Earles 81, of Pocahontas, Arkansas passed away on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at Pocahontas Healthcare and Rehab Center. Howard was born on January 5, 1943, in Lubbock, Texas to Howard Arthur and Lela Juanita Earles.