“I'd like to take a moment to thank everyone involved in the actions that helped get families in this winter out of the cold! In the past the Mayor and I have had our differences about his handling of this very vital issue in our community. It's great to see everyone finally compassionately addressing this in a very positive way. Lotsa wins all the way around and I've been a homeless advocate here for more years than you all really realize. I once had to live on the streets here. I made it back into subsidized housing and with support from this community, I made a better life for myself.
It takes support from a loving and compassionate community and I've witnessed MANY positive changes in Harrison's atmosphere in recent years concerning diversity and inclusion of ALL our citizens. It was a much-needed change and I'm hopeful for many more advances in the future … also an " i told ya so " to Mr Jackson lol ... I TOLD you our community WANTED TO HELP and would rise to the occasion.
Thank you for helping make that a reality. Sure, we still have many "negative Nellie's" but I'm proud of the progress. Understand, please that I've never been against anyone in Harrison except for those not willing to help our community THRIVE..(and not just the upper and middle class folks). Times are getting harder and empathy and compassion in short supply. Thanks for bringing some back, and I hope to see even more in future projects for our beautiful community. Sadly, I believe they will become even more necessary in the future. Thank you for your response to this and many other issues here.”
Your help is needed: Good morning Community Partner. I am working with North Arkansas College to host our first ever NJCAA Division II Region 2 basketball tournament in Harrison. This will feature 14 college men and women teams from Arkansas as well as surrounding states. We are extremely excited to host this event in our community, and our goal is to make it the best it can be. With that being said, we are hoping to have your support in assisting with volunteers. We have several opportunities available to assist. Please share the following link with your team members, family and friends. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to give me a call or shoot me an email.
https://harrisoncvb.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=94654
Thank you for all you do for our community!
N. First St. between E. Ridge Ave. and E. Rush Ave. will be closed Monday, Feb. 24 from 7:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. for a sewer repair.
Please be observant of the signage, flaggers, workers, and their equipment as you approach the work area.
Look at the new Fire Station progress in the Harrison Daily Times today.
Volunteers needed:
I am working with North Arkansas College to host our first ever NJCAA Division II Region 2 basketball tournament in Harrison. This will feature 14 college men and women teams from Arkansas as well as surrounding states. We are extremely excited to host this event in our community, and our goal is to make it the best it can be. With that being said, we are hoping to have your support in assisting with volunteers. We have several opportunities available to assist. Please share the following link with your team members, family and friends. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to give me a call or shoot me an email.
https://harrisoncvb.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=94654
Thank you for all you do for our community!
The Downtown Beautification Project is on hold for the weather, but the new trees can hardly wait for Spring!
Let's go downtown and see what's happening with the Bridge!
Mayor Jackson had the opportunity to declare Feb. 21, 2025, as "Social Worker Appreciation Day." Mellie Williams works with DHS workers from several counties and wanted to thank them for their dedication to foster families.
Jerry, I want to compliment you and your crew for the job you did clearing roads in Harrison. We flew from XNA to DFW (Hogs baseball in Arlington) this morning, and I didn’t see a road in Washington County that was clear. After leaving our Fayetteville condo, we had a 45-minute delay on the Don Tyson Expressway trying to cut across to I-49. Just barely made our flight. - xxx
Mayor Jerry Jackson had the honor of swearing in new police officers to the force. Welcome Dalton Davis and Isaiah Burleson to the City of Harrison Police Department.
LRS UPDATE LRS plans to service the normal Friday routes tomorrow (Feb. 21). The two days missed (Wednesday and Thursday) will be picked up on the regular schedule next week. They will accept trash bags on the ground next to a full receptacle. If you are a Wednesday and Thursday customer with trash overflowing and cannot wait until your regular pick-up and need an emergency pickup, LRS has agreed to send a truck and attempt to service as time allows for those who have called ahead and made arrangements. Call 479-435-8718 TODAY to make arrangements. PLEASE keep this exception for emergency pick-ups only. Thank you, LRS drivers, for being willing to care for our citizens under these conditions.
Don't forget Friday is Bring a Friend for Free!
Creekside members can bring a friend and let them experience everything for FREE! Find a friend and come play at Creekside!
HHBA excited with anticipation
The Historic Harrison Business Association met on Monday, Feb. 17, at the Signature Bank Community Room. The air of excitement and anticipation of good vibes for the downtown area was definitely in the room.
Secretary/Treasurer Beverly DeWitt reported that several new businesses had presented applications and dues for membership that evening. Last year, a new membership fee structure was adopted so larger corporations and local businesses could make meaningful donations to the organization.
Mayor Jackson reported that the City was investigating adding cameras to the downtown square to promote safety for shoppers and store owners. A police officer is already walking the downtown area on a regular basis.
He also thanked Kelly Lindberg, one of the 1915 Cafe owners, for her work on the downtown brochure, which is being distributed around the city to invite out-of-town guests to experience restaurants and businesses downtown.
The Mayor also addressed the dilemma of winter snow plows. “We understand this is a source of frustration for business owners. Plows are big pieces of equipment designed to pile the snow up. Sometimes, the most convenient place for the plow operator is a parking place or driveway. So the city is trying something new. We’ve hired an independent contractor to come behind the snow plow and hopefully remove the snow from your parking places and driveways. It’s an experiment. We hope it works well.”
Other business discussed were continuing with the digital billboards or renting static billboards in key locations. A discussion followed, but no action was taken.
It was mentioned that the downtown Dollar General will be reopening soon.
A “Parking” sign was requested for the Skate Park area, and the mayor mentioned that new striping would happen when spring arrived.
Several business owners mentioned that the new trees along Main Street looked great and were anxious for spring.
Nabors mentioned to the group the possibility of an archway on Prospect Street inviting travelers to explore the “historic” downtown area. The city is currently consulting with an engineer about the project.
The new 2025 officers were elected. A former board member had submitted a resignation letter, and the board asked Mike Nabors if he would fill that vacancy. Roni Combs was also elected to the board.
A slate of officers was presented and voted on by the members. No additional names were presented from the audience. Mike Nabors was voted president, and Emily Powers was voted vice president. Beverly DeWitt remains secretary/treasurer.
Nabors said later, “I failed to acknowledge and thank Emily for the wonderful job she has done for the past five years. We really appreciate her leadership.”
She grinned, saying, “You just think this office is for one year.” Everyone enjoyed a good laugh.
The next HHBA meeting will be held on Monday, April 21, at 6 p.m.
LRS UPDATE
LRS plans to service the normal Friday routes tomorrow (Feb. 21). The two days missed (Wednesday and Thursday) will be picked up on the regular schedule next week. They will accept trash bags on the ground next to a full receptacle.
If you are a Wednesday and Thursday customer with trash overflowing and cannot wait until your regular pick-up and need an emergency pickup, LRS has agreed to send a truck and attempt to service as time allows for those who have called ahead and made arrangements.
Call 479-435-8718 TODAY to make arrangements. PLEASE keep this exception for emergency pick-ups only. Thank you, LRS drivers, for being willing to care for our citizens under these conditions.
City Hall and Creekside both opened at 10 a.m. today (Thursday) due to hazardous road conditions. Roads are much better, but watch for black ice.
Road Conditions 7:48 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 20
Road conditions are relatively unchanged from late yesterday; however, slushy areas have refrozen. Highways and main roads are mostly clear to clear while side roads are still partly to fully covered with packed snow. There are spots of black ice; drivers should be cautious of pavement that looks wet. All roads are heavily salted and we expect to make progress at additional clearing with good sunshine today.
LRS UPDATE: This is an important message from LRS, your Waste and Recycle Provider. For the safety of our employees and the communities we serve, we have made the decision to discontinue routes effective Thursday, February 20, 2025, due to adverse weather conditions, landfill closures, and road safety concerns. As temperatures are forecasted to stay below freezing on Thursday and Friday, we will be monitoring road conditions closely and will provide regular updates regarding the safe resumption of our routes. With Wednesday and Thursday routes remaining unsafe for collections this week, we have rescheduled those routes to resume next week on your normal collection day. We will pick up two weeks of trash and recycle. We sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. As a reminder, please ensure commercial containers and enclosures are clear of snow debris when routes resume to allow safe access to containers.
City staff members work to clear sidewalks and the parking lot so Creekside can open at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20. COME AND PLAY or swim where it's warm!
The possibility of black ice on the roads is real for Thursday morning. City Offices and Creekside will open at 10 a.m.
Road Update: Highways and main roads are mostly clear to clear. Some side roads are starting to clear but are still mostly covered. There will be re-freezing of slushy and wet roads overnight. Areas of black ice on the roads will be possible in the morning.
