Free Range Conversations

CALIFORNIAN VISITS PIONEER VILLAGE - Julie Federico of San Diego, Calif. poses with Bob Abbott on the steps of the Beard House in the Pioneer Village at Rison. (Photo by Marty Bowlin)

CALIFORNIAN VISITS PIONEER VILLAGE - Julie Federico of San Diego, Calif. poses with Bob Abbott on the steps of the Beard House in the Pioneer Village at Rison. (Photo by Marty Bowlin)

Free Range Conversations, Episode 33: Ancestry Search Leads California Woman To Visit House at Rison's Pioneer Village

News Staff
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
RISON - It's not every day in Cleveland County when someone from San Diego sets an intention to visit a landmark in Rison. But Monday's surprise visit from California native Julie Federico brought some welcomed insight and a new perspective of our town.
MARTIAL ARTS CLASSES IN RISON - Master Jeremy Fox is bringing Grandmaster Han's Martial Arts classes back to Rison on Thursdays at 6 p.m. at the Rison Church of Christ. Classes teaching Youn Wha Ryu are open to all ages. Pictured are Fox, daughters Madison and Brooklyn, and wife Holly, also a Master of Martial Arts. The parents are six-degree black belts and daughters are first-degree. (Photo courtesy of Jeremy Fox)

MARTIAL ARTS CLASSES IN RISON - Master Jeremy Fox is bringing Grandmaster Han's Martial Arts classes back to Rison on Thursdays at 6 p.m. at the Rison Church of Christ. Classes teaching Youn Wha Ryu are open to all ages. Pictured are Fox, daughters Madison and Brooklyn, and wife Holly, also a Master of Martial Arts. The parents are six-degree black belts and daughters are first-degree. (Photo courtesy of Jeremy Fox)

Free Range Conversations, Episode 32: Master Fox Kicking Off Martial Arts Classes This Week with Return to Rison

News Staff
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
RISON - Grandmaster Han's Martial Arts classes return to Rison this week and instructor Master Jeremy Fox joins the newest episode of Free Range Conversations to talk all things Youn Wha Ryu.The podcast is currently streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and ClevelandCounty-Herald.
FREE RHS PROM CLOSET THIS SATURDAY - Rison High School student Mallory Stuckey (far left) poses with girls who attended a previous RHS Prom Closet event making free dresses and accessories available to students. This year’s prom closet will be held this Saturday, Feb. 8 at Rison Baptist Church. (Photo courtesy of Tracy Stuckey).

FREE RHS PROM CLOSET THIS SATURDAY - Rison High School student Mallory Stuckey (far left) poses with girls who attended a previous RHS Prom Closet event making free dresses and accessories available to students. This year’s prom closet will be held this Saturday, Feb. 8 at Rison Baptist Church. (Photo courtesy of Tracy Stuckey).

Free Range Conversations, Episode 31: Local Teen Creates Free Prom Dress Shopping Experience for Students

News Staff
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
RISON - Though it’s only February, prom dress shopping is already at the forefront of many teen girls’ minds (and their parents). Mallory Stuckey, a junior at Rison High School, has created a way to lessen that burden with the RHS Prom Closet.
TRAINING FOR TRIATHLON - Lauren Threlkeld (pictured above) shared this photo captured from her watch during a training session at the Pine Bluff Aquatic Center. In advance of her 1.2-mile swim portion of the IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon in April, Threlkeld has been swimming in the indoor pools. She details other training methods in this week’s Free Range Conversations podcast streaming now.

TRAINING FOR TRIATHLON - Lauren Threlkeld (pictured above) shared this photo captured from her watch during a training session at the Pine Bluff Aquatic Center. In advance of her 1.2-mile swim portion of the IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon in April, Threlkeld has been swimming in the indoor pools. She details other training methods in this week’s Free Range Conversations podcast streaming now.

Free Range Conversations, Episode 30: Threlkeld Prepares for First IRONMAN Triathlon with Exercise, Nutrition Tips

News Staff
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
RISON - Local healthcare provider and fitness advocate Lauren Threlkeld joins the latest episode of Free Range Conversations to share her journey as she prepares to compete in the IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon in April.The episode is available to stream on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and ClevelandCountyHerald.
NEW WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT - A construction crew prepares to pour concrete for the new “bar screen” that will be part of Rison’s new wastewater treatment facility going in at the Cleveland County Solid Waste Transfer Station on Hwy. 79 in Rison. Joe Freyer, utilities director for the City of Rison, explained the bar screen keeps organic and inorganic solids out of the aeration lagoon. Rison received a $3.9 million grant for the renovating the wastewater treatment plant. (Photo compliments of Joe Freyer)

NEW WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT - A construction crew prepares to pour concrete for the new “bar screen” that will be part of Rison’s new wastewater treatment facility going in at the Cleveland County Solid Waste Transfer Station on Hwy. 79 in Rison. Joe Freyer, utilities director for the City of Rison, explained the bar screen keeps organic and inorganic solids out of the aeration lagoon. Rison received a $3.9 million grant for the renovating the wastewater treatment plant. (Photo compliments of Joe Freyer)

Free Range Conversations, Episode 29: Mayor Roberts Gives Update On Infrastructure Plans for Rison

News Staff
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
RISON - For the latest episode of the Free Range Conversations podcast, Mayor of Rison Charles Roberts gives listeners a glimpse at upcoming construction plans for Rison.
Herald File Photo: March 7, 2008

Herald File Photo: March 7, 2008

Winter Storm Predicted for Thursday, Friday

News Staff
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
RISON - As meteorologists are predicting anywhere from 6 to 10 inches of snow or wintry mix for Cleveland County at the end of this week, taking precautions in advance will help you be prepared for the winter storm.The Arkansas Department of Transportation began treating local highways on Tuesday.
Gov. Sarah Sanders (center) visits with Frank Wilson (left) and Harrell Wilson (right) during the Wilson Brothers Lumber Company Christmas Barbeque held Tuesday at the Wilson Brothers shop on Hwy. 35 at the Staves community. Hundreds of people ranging from sawmill workers to politicians enjoy a large plate of brisket, pulled pork and ribs at the annual event. The governor took time to take photos with many of those attending the event.

Gov. Sarah Sanders (center) visits with Frank Wilson (left) and Harrell Wilson (right) during the Wilson Brothers Lumber Company Christmas Barbeque held Tuesday at the Wilson Brothers shop on Hwy. 35 at the Staves community. Hundreds of people ranging from sawmill workers to politicians enjoy a large plate of brisket, pulled pork and ribs at the annual event. The governor took time to take photos with many of those attending the event.

Free Range Conversations, Episode 24: Wilson Family Creates Christmas BBQ Tradition for Community

News Staff
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
RISON - When the Wilson family started preparing a Christmas meal for employees of Wilson Bros. Lumber Company in the 1980s, they never expected it to grow beyond the company - much less feeding hundreds if not thousands three decades later.