News

CLEVELAND COUNTY CARES BREAKS RECORD - Melinda McKnight (bottom right corner) oversees the packaging of gifts at Rison Baptist Church over the weekend as the organization prepares to deliver to families for Christmas. This year the Cleveland County Cares organization reached a record number of kids receiving gifts this year, 99.

CLEVELAND COUNTY CARES BREAKS RECORD - Melinda McKnight (bottom right corner) oversees the packaging of gifts at Rison Baptist Church over the weekend as the organization prepares to deliver to families for Christmas. This year the Cleveland County Cares organization reached a record number of kids receiving gifts this year, 99.

Cleveland Co. Cares To Help 99 Kids This Christmas

News Staff
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
RISON - As the Cleveland County Cares team gets ready to deliver Christmas presents to families in need across the county, organizer Melinda McKnight is reflecting on a record year.According to McKnight, their program has helped 99 kids so far this holiday season, and they are still accepting names.
CHRISTMAS TREE VILLAGE

CHRISTMAS TREE VILLAGE

Christmas Tree Village

News Staff
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
If you have a Christmas Village, consider a Village Christmas Tree to display your collection. Carolyn Williams of Rison submitted this homemade Village Christmas Tree made by her husband Jonny. It’s about five feet tall and has a three-foot diameter.
Pictured at the Ronald McDonald House: Sheila Jackson, Martha Lockhart, Kaye Green, Karen Bell Fox.

Pictured at the Ronald McDonald House: Sheila Jackson, Martha Lockhart, Kaye Green, Karen Bell Fox.

Busy 2025 for Friendship EHC

News Staff
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
BUSY 2025 FOR FRIENDSHIP EHC - Friendship Extension Homemakers Club has been busy in 2025. Members have attended Arkansas Extension Homemaker Council activities for state, district and county meetings and other extension homemaker activities.
Rison Elementary December Artists of the Month - Pictured top row, left to right: Kenzie Mitchell, Taylynn Cogbill, Madison Goodman, Rourke Sawdey; middle row: Jakerria Cranford, Holden Billings, Kandyce Jackson, Zayleigh Webb; bottom row: Loyalti Rasheed, Brooke Burns, Emma Brooks, Ryann Morrison, Alaina Gurnsey, Charlotte Gray.

Rison Elementary December Artists of the Month - Pictured top row, left to right: Kenzie Mitchell, Taylynn Cogbill, Madison Goodman, Rourke Sawdey; middle row: Jakerria Cranford, Holden Billings, Kandyce Jackson, Zayleigh Webb; bottom row: Loyalti Rasheed, Brooke Burns, Emma Brooks, Ryann Morrison, Alaina Gurnsey, Charlotte Gray.

Rison Elementary Artists of the Month: December

News Staff
Wednesday, December 17, 2025

State Offices Will Close Dec. 24-25

News Staff
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
RISON - State government offices will be closed both Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 24-25, in observance of the Christmas holiday. This includes the Revenue Office and the Department of Human Services.

County Courthouse Closed Dec. 24-5

News Staff
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
RISON - The Cleveland County Courthouse will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 24, through Friday, Dec. 26, in observance of the Christmas holiday, the Cleveland County Judge’s office has announced. The courthouse will resume regular business hours on Monday, Dec. 29.
Tammy Allison, with Todd Smith, President of Commercial Bank

Tammy Allison, with Todd Smith, President of Commercial Bank

Commercial Bank Presents 2025 RISE Award to Allison

News Staff
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
MONTICELLO - Commercial Bank is proud to announce Tammy Allison as the recipient of the 2025 RISE Award for Leadership. The RISE Award, first introduced in 2024, recognizes a team member who demonstrates exceptional commitment, performance, and embodiment of the bank’s core values.
Fudge Frenzy

Fudge Frenzy

Gateway Bank Plans Dec. 19 Fudge Competition

News Staff
Friday, December 12, 2025
RISON - Gateway Bank will launch its first annual Fudge Frenzy Friday, Dec. 19. This new competition runs from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.Fudge varieties can be delivered to the bank and will be sampled and judged at 2 p.m.