News

Pioneer Crafts Festival 2026

Pioneer Crafts Festival Adding Activities to This Year’s Event

News Staff

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

RISON - In a continuing effort to revitalize the Pioneer Crafts Festival, event organizers are bringing in more craft vendors and some homesteading sessions to help supplement the free event that will be held Friday and Saturday, April 10-11, at the Pioneer Village in Rison.

South Arkansas Junk Hunt To Run Thursday-Sunday Across County

News Staff

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

RISON - The spring run of the Great South Arkansas Junk Hunt takes place this week, Thursday, March 26 through Sunday, March 29, including a hub of vendors set up at the Pioneer Village in Rison.The Junk Hunt is the merged route of two smaller hunts, the former Historic Hwy.

School Lunches for March 30-April 3

News Staff

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Rison ElementaryMonday - Create: Popcorn chicken. Classics: Cheeseburger, crinkle fries. Sides: Broccoli and cheese soup, grape tomatoes. Fruit and vegetable bar.Tuesday - Create: Beef macho nachos. Classics: Toasty cheese sandwich, crinkle fries. Sides: Slow cooked pinto beans, spring mix salad.

From left: Steven Bybee, senior vice president-Operations; Rod Doerr, vice president and chief safety officer; John Varnell, locomotive engineer; and Jim Vena, CEO.

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Union Pacific Recognizes Varnell with Excellence Award

News Staff

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

This year, 46 honorees were recognized for rising to meet – and lead through – a period of historic change, advancing Union Pacific’s Safety, Service and Operational Excellence strategy and laying the foundation to build America’s first transcontinental railroad“We delivered best-ever safety,...

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Clark Construction Hired for Rison Gym Project

News Staff

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

RISON - Clark Construction of Little Rock was selected by the Cleveland County School Board during a special meeting Monday night to serve as the construction manager for the new gym project at the Rison School campus.Clark Construction was one of four candidates being considered for the job.

(Photo by Luke Matheson)

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NWS Confirms EF-1 Tornado Hit Cleveland County Last Week

News Staff

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

RISON - Cleveland County was hit was two rounds of severe weather over the past week with an EF-1 tornado touching down south of Kingsland last Wednesday morning, and a severe thunderstorm knocking out power and toppling trees Sunday evening.

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County Judge Forum This Thursday; Early Voting Starts Tuesday

News Staff

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

RISON - Jim Houston of the Rye community and Stephen McClellan of New Edinburg, the two finalists vying for Cleveland County Judge, will give their views on issues in a special forum scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, March 19, in the Family Life Center at Bethel #1 Missionary Baptist Church, 2230 Hwy.

Liberty Tree Planting

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Liberty Tree Is Planted at Rison’s Pioneer Village

News Staff

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

RISON - In commemoration of America’s 250th birthday this year, a “Liberty Tree” is being planted at the Pioneer Village to commemorate the original Liberty Tree in Boston where colonists staged their first act of defiance against the British.

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BBQ Fundraiser Sunday for Wayne Wells

News Staff

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

RISON - A BBQ Fundraiser for Wayne Wells, in support of his kidney transplant journey, will be held this Sunday, March 22 beginning at noon at the Corner Express parking lot in Rison.BBQ plates are $15 and include a chicken half, baked beans, potato salad and a roll.

Pictured left to right are EHC members, Karen Bell Fox, Loletia Terrry, Cleveland County FCS Extension Agent Austin Compton, Barbara Cox, Jackie Cox, Treill Meeks and Jenny Wright.

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New EHC Sign at Intersection

News Staff

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

RISON - The Cleveland County Extension Homemakers Council installed a new sign last week at the intersection of Hwy 75 and Magnolia Street near the “Welcome to Rison” sign. For more information the EHC program, contact the Extension Office at (870) 325-6321.