Preserving Rich Riverfront Heritage on the Square
Biggers, AR · October 18, 2026
A sharp 37-degree chill this morning yields to unbroken sunshine and a comfortable 67 by afternoon. It is the kind of quiet Sunday best spent along the river before another brisk evening sets in.
The Lead
Randolph County leaders are taking a hard look at the county ledger as budget planning kicks into high gear. During the Quorum Court's October session, magistrates and County Judge Ben Wicker debated measures to rein in operational spending, including tightening policies on employee comp time and weighing a temporary spending freeze across county departments.
Beyond internal bookkeeping, justices looked ahead to external growth pressures, opening initial discussions on guidelines for potential commercial data centers looking at rural northeast Arkansas. The court also took action on community infrastructure, adopting a formal resolution supporting water improvement bonds under Issue 4 to strengthen rural utilities. Balancing fiscal discipline with modern utility needs will be the central challenge as departments outline their priorities for the coming year. Committee members plan to present finalized policy drafts and revenue projections ahead of next month's voting meeting.
Local Pulse
- BRTC Opens Speaker Series Registration Community Residents can reserve free virtual or campus seats for the college's annual educational forum featuring survivor Ernest Brod.
Today's Outlook
- High 67°F · Low 37°F — Clear
- Keep a jacket handy this morning, then enjoy bright sunshine all afternoon.
What's On Around Town
Today
- Haunted House at Let's Roll 2707 W Kingshighway, Paragould, 6:00–10:00 PM Seasonal spooky thrills and walkthrough scares for the whole family.
Tomorrow
- Corning School Board Meeting Corning High School Library, Corning, 4:00 PM · Free
Tuesday
- Randolph County Farmers Market 1966 Highway 62 West, Pocahontas, 4:00–6:00 PM · Free
- Tales from Linwood's Silent City Linwood Cemetery (1000 S 7th St), Paragould, 6:00–8:00 PM · $15
Spotlight & Story
- Five Rivers Historic Preservation
- Founded during the 2006 county sesquicentennial, the volunteer group safeguards artifacts from the Black River pearl rush, including original pedal-operated shell button-cutting machines and river-harvested freshwater pearls donated by early settler descendant Joe Martin.
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