Banner-News Blog

Below is a copy of the ballot as it will appear to Columbia County residents for the upcoming general election.
Early voting begins next Monday, October 22, and will continue through Monday, November 5. The clerk’s office at the Columbia County Courthouse will be open for early voting opportunities from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The office will also be open for early voting on two Saturdays this year—October 27 and November 3.

Election day is Tuesday, November 6, with polls open from 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

Mayor Parnell Vann has proclaimed today, October 5, as “Go Pink for the Cure Day” in Magnolia. The mayor requests all Magnolia citizens to join in helping to promote efforts for the prevention and treatment of cancer by wear pink.

Behind Magnolia Mayor Parnell Vann are (front row, from left): Regina Minor, Betty Smith, Bonnie Zorsch, Carolyn Greene, and Sue Dickson; (back row, from left) Gail Mooney, Patsy Bentley, Faye McKinnie, Norma Jean Dees, and Trish Franks. (Contributed photograph)

The Leadership Magnolia class of 2013 is holding a series of raffles to raise money for the class’ upcoming project to help renovate East Side Park.

One raffle will be for free deer processing from C&C Packing, a deer shoulder mount by Wild Morgan Taxidermy, and a 50 pound bag of deer corn from Magnolia Feed. The drawing will be held November 2.

The second raffle will be for two tickets to the Delta Waterfowl Banquet from Ty Jean, a duck mount by Wild Morgan Taxidermy, and a Double Reed Mallard DR-85 duck call. This drawing will be held October 20.

Tickets for both raffles are $5. To purchase tickets, make donations, or for additional information, please contact Tracy Sinor at (870) 234-6707 or Leah Smith at (870) 234-5777.

An open house ceremony was held today for the newest addition to the campus of Central Baptist College in Conway, now known as the “David T. Watkins Academic Building.” The 38,000 square foot, three story structure bears the name of Watkins, a Waldo native who retired earlier this year as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Magnolia after 23 years of service.

David Watkins speaks to the crowd gathered Friday at Central Baptist College in Conway for the open house of the school's new academic building named in honor of Watkins. (Photograph courtesy of Roger Dunlap)

The naming of the building came as a result of a lead contribution to the Continue reading →

With tonight’s event, the Farmers Bank & Trust Distinguished Speaker Series surpassed the $200,000 mark in total funds earned for scholarships at Southern Arkansas University. Guest speakers David and Julie Eisenhower gave a view of growing up in the White House at tonight’s dinner and lecture.

David and Julie Eisenhower visit with Dr. Robert Terry before the start of the 2012 Farmers Bank and Trust Distinguished Speaker Series.

We will have the complete story and more photographs later on our blog and in tomorrow’s edition of the Banner-News.

Aaron Morris’ column in this morning’s South Arkansas Sunday News referenced this video concerning the powerful, potentially medicinal effects of music.

Music & Memory

Sunday is the deadline for entry into the Columbia County Fair Queen Contest and the Teen Miss Pageant.

The Columbia County Fair Queen Contest, sponsored by Quota International of Magnolia, will be Sept. 17.

This competition is for ages 17 through 21 (formerly 16-21). Contestants must Continue reading →

Tropical Storm Isaac is currently situated about 10 miles west-southwest of Baton Rouge, La., and is moving northwest at 5 mph. Maximum sustained winds are currently 50 mph.

This movement is expected to continue today, taking the storm on a path for southwest Arkansas by late tonight/early tomorrow.

Tropical storm force winds currently extend up to 175 miles from the center of the storm, but are expected to diminish as the day continues, with the system becoming a tropical depression by tonight.

The biggest threat to the Columbia County area will be rain—between six to eight inches of precipitation are expected to fall, with isolated amounts being even higher. Isolated tornadoes are also possible. Rain from the storm system is currently beginning to fall in portions of southern Arkansas and will continue to increase through the morning.

The Columbia County Ambulance Service was assisted by the Magnolia Fire Department and Magnolia Police Department in the rescue of a worker who collapsed Thursday morning on top of Warnock’s Furniture.

At approximately 9:15 a.m., emergency crews were dispatched to the scene. Paramedics could be seen on the roof administering CPR to an unidentified man. Ladders and ropes were used to raise a long spine board and oxygen for emergency workers to administer.

The fire department’s Snorkel truck was maneuvered between Warnock’s Furniture and the former Cameo Theater and used to lower the man to the ground. CPR was continued on the man continuously throughout the incident.

The victim was transported by ambulance to Magnolia Regional Medical Center. His condition is not being released at this time.

After seeing high customer demand for layaway during last year’s winter holiday season, Wal-Mart is expanding the interest-free pay-over-time program for Christmas.

The new program will last a month longer than last year’s and will include more items than the toys and electronics featured last year.

The world’s largest retailer says its mostly lower-income shoppers are still having a hard time stretching their dollars to the Continue reading →