Loren's Pool and Spa tackled the difficult job of cleaning the outdoor pool after it was closed for the winter. They said it would take the whole day, but it will be clean and ready to open in the next few weeks.
Roberson represents Harrison in DC
North Arkansas Regional Medical Center’s President/CEO, Sammie Cribbs Roberson, was invited to participate in a trip with the Arkansas Hospital Association to meet with state leaders and plead the case for local hospitals.
Roberson said, “I had the opportunity to have a wonderful trip to our nation’s Capital earlier this week! During the trip, I had a chance to visit with colleagues from across the US at the annual American Hospital Association meeting. The meeting was very informative, offering valuable discussion on current topics in healthcare. The discussions were focused on regulatory and legislative concerns, emerging technology, and the changing workforce. After the conference concluded, an incredible group of healthcare executives from across our state had the opportunity to share in discussions with our federal legislators. There is a tremendous amount of concern at a federal level about the impact on healthcare during the budget reconciliation process, specifically regarding the impact that any reductions in Medicaid might have on our communities. CEOs from Baptist Health, St. Bernard’s, Conway Regional, Washington Regional, and North Arkansas Regional shared their concerns and advocacy with our dedicated legislative officials and their staff. It is exciting to see the activity in Washington, DC, and to know that our voices from rural Arkansas are being heard. We know that the legislative officials have a very difficult task ahead of them, and we are grateful for the time and energy they have shared with our hospitals, which are caring for our communities.”
Seniors can receive coupons for fresh fruits and vegetables if they qualify based on monthly income limits. There will be a booth at the Farmers Market this weekend for seniors to sign up. More info is on the Central Ozarks Farmers and Artisans Market Facebook Page.
Mayor Jerry Jackson (left) swears in the newest officer for the Harrison Police Department. Welcome, Auxiliary Police Officer, Trey Powell.
Mayor Jackson and Judge Hathaway proclaimed May 11-17 National Hospital Week and National Nurses Week. Thank you, NARMC, for all that you do for this community!
Update on Central Ave.
Traffic has been narrowed down to two lanes going East and West on Central Ave.
Traffic comes to a stop on Main Street before turning east or west. Signal lights and pedestrian crossing signals are not operational during this phase of the bridge construction.
The signal lights at Cottonwood Road and Highway. 43 are working again thanks to the use of a rented Knock-Down trailer.
Here's the proposed agenda for the City Council meeting scheduled for May 8, 2025, at City Hall.
Tickets are on sale now. Don't miss out.
Changes coming at Main St & Central Ave.
As construction of the new Main Street bridge progresses, Central Ave. will be closed starting as early as this week.
Central Ave. will be reduced to two lanes of traffic (one lane each direction), and traffic will be shifted to the north side of Central to allow the southern half of Central to be closed.
During these closures, the traffic signals will be removed and a stop sign installed on Main St. The two lanes on Central Ave. will not have stop signs and will be free-flowing traffic. This also affects the signs for pedestrians. They will not be working.
Traffic turning onto Central Ave. from Main St. will be required to stop or yield to traffic on Central Ave. These changes will remain in place until the bridge construction is completed.
While we recognize that this may cause traffic delays, it is necessary for the safety of construction crews and the traveling public.
The Splash Pad is now open! The Splash Pad hours are 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The Park's Public Bathroom hours are open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Mayor Jackson (right) and Mike Nabors, president of the HHBA, enjoy broccoli cheese soup and a Cuban bowl at Nenos Place in downtown Harrison. Nabors and some members of the Downtown Strategy Committee will travel to Little Rock to make a presentation to the Main Street organization to present the case for Harrison becoming a Main Street Community. This status would bring many benefits to Downtown Harrison.
The Historic District Commissioners will meet on May 5 at 1 p.m.
This meeting will be conducted in the administrative conference room at City Hall at 1 p.m. (the meeting is still open to the public).
Creekside members continue to grow
At the City Council meeting, Thursday, April 24, the Department Heads presented reports to the council members.
Parks and Rec Director Chuck Eddington said membership at Creekside was up to 3,990 members. He reported 41 baseball teams and 117 basketball teams were in town April 12-13. “Hotels were full. We are hoping to break records.”
The pickleball courts should be surfaced next week, and they take four days to cure. So, we should be able to open in May.
May will also be a big month for Parks, with baseball and softball, soccer and regional and state tournaments.
Then we want to invite you to Libby Salmon’s Retirement celebration at 11:30 on Friday, April 25. We hate to see her go, but she’s worked hard for 30 years, and we are excited to see what she gets to do next. She’s built a lot of relationships in our community and is going to be missed.
Councilman Magness said, “You had giants in the form of Jerry Farmer and Libby Salmon who have retired this year.”
Magness said he asked several guests in the community about their time here, and he was very impressed by their opinions. “They were amazed by Harrison, and one lady from Jonesboro said she was embarrassed that their community didn’t have anything like Creekside. Every comment was positive, except for the fact that they said Harrison doesn’t have enough lodging. The tournaments maxed out the hotels, and we are definitely getting our money back on our investment into our facilities.”
Thursday, May 1, is National Day of Prayer. Bible Reading Marathon will continue throughout the day on the Courthouse Square. The day will start with a Prayer Breakfast at 7 a.m. at Quality Inn.
Phillips updates on city projects
At the City Council meeting, Thursday, April 24, the Department Heads presented reports to the council members.
COO/City Engineer Wade Phillips addressed some of the legislative action in Little Rock. “One thing that might affect this council is that council members will not be allowed to join council meetings via Zoom.”
He also said the Camp Jack remodeling is going well, and they hope to be back in the building in mid to late May or June.
The Nance family donated 120 saplings to the downtown area. We appreciate their donation to honor two outstanding citizens, Bill Stirtz and Joe Miller. The Public Works staff members planted forty dogwood, forty redbud, and forty cherry trees.
The steel should be going up on the Creekside stage very soon.
"We are working on the traffic signal at Hwy. 43 and Cottonwood. One of the council members asked who would pay for that, and Phillips said it would be filed to the truck driver’s insurance company," he said.
Phillips also mentioned the Street Department will go out to bid for a street resurfacing contract to overlay several streets this summer. “It’s looking like it could cost $215,000 to $230,000 per mile of roadway paved on average. Streets being selected for overlays are being prioritized based on a citywide paving assessment completed last year. And the Goblin Drive project will be advertised for bids this weekend. (April 26)
Under new business, ordinances 1538 and 1539 authorizing eminent domain were tabled in good faith, indicating that the owner had indicated that they thought they would be able to accept the offer for easement acquisition.
A bid waiver was approved for the repair of the signal at Hwy. 43 and Cottonwood Road. Phillips said that delivery lead times for signal poles and mast arms are typically 20 plus weeks, which is why taking time for a bid process is not desirable. “I’m hoping for two months. But in the meantime, we are looking for a knock-down trailer equipped with signals that can be wired into the signal controller as a temporary solution until the full repair can be completed.
Four arrested on Child Sexual Abuse Material
The Harrison City Council met on Thursday, April 24, and heard reports from Department Heads.
Police Chief Chris Graddy said citations and warnings are down, but we are also four positions short. Two officers just graduated from the police academy and are completing their field training program. Two more officers have been hired and are scheduled to start the Police academy on May 5.
“We arrested four subjects on Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) charges, with one of the subjects offending on a child. Three subjects were charged with federal charges and turned over to the custody of Homeland Security for prosecution. The other subject was charged with state charges and was incarcerated in the Boone County Jail with a $75,000 bond.”
“The hailstorm that came on Sunday, March 30, did a lot of damage. We have 31 vehicles with hail damage,” he said.
He also addressed the loud “explosion” of noise heard the night before. “There was no damage, just powder.”
Sales Tax collections still up
At the City Council meeting, Thursday, April 24, the Department Heads presented reports to the council members.
CFO Luke Feighert said his department was getting caught up. Our numbers still look good. “We are still waiting to be reimbursed for the Camp Jack remodel.”
Mayor Jerry Jackson added, “With this grant type, we have to spend it. The government qualifies it and pays us back. It’s a hurry-up and wait mode. We have probably lost about $50,000 in interest waiting for repayment.”
Feighert said sales tax collections are still up over last year. The Mayor pointed out the numbers in reserves to the council members.
“Yes,” Feighert said. “We have a good number in reserves. But we have some big projects coming up that will need this money. The City is paying for the Goblin Drive project, and we are paying a portion of the ARDOT project at Hester Drive.”
Thursday, May 1, is National Day of Prayer.
Bible Reading Marathon will continue throughout the day on the Courthouse Square. The day will start with a Prayer Breakfast at 7 a.m. at Quality Inn.
Creekside Amp tickets go on sale at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, May 1. Ticket prices range from $20 to $40 for lawn seating.
