McDonald County Press
New Bethel School hosts ‘Little House on the Prairie’ event
ANDERSON — Butter churning, corn milling, knitting, and other old-fashioned skills were demonstrated for home school students on Jan. 13 at a “Little House on the Prairie” themed educational event at New Bethel School. Inspired by the books by Laura...
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Local student presents Crowder research at global conference
NEW ORLEANS — Ivy Patrick did not know what the American Geophysical Union (AGU) was when she enrolled at Crowder College, much less that she would be presenting at their global meeting with her research partner and her geology professor. But in early...
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Tammy’s Cafe opens blessing box to community
GOODMAN — Blessings can sometimes be found in unexpected places. At Tammy’s Cafe in Goodman, a blessing box that was started only a few months ago has been expanded to include a small building with various goods that people might need. Donation...
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Creekside Coffee reaches 2 years
SOUTHWEST CITY — Creekside Coffee has a space heater in case it gets cold, but the espresso machine helps keep cold to a minimum, pressing heat into the air along with every shot. The inside of the shop is cozy, filled with bear-themed decor and coffee...
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Noel glows up for Christmas
NOEL — The Christmas tree is back in Elk River, and Main Street’s burned-out building is transformed into a homey Christmas cove. The touches made for a festive atmosphere at Noel’s Christmas parade, themed Winter Wonderland, on Saturday. Though the...
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Pineville sees increase in insurance premium
PINEVILLE — At the Pineville Board of Aldermen meeting Dec. 9, the board discussed an increase in the city’s insurance premium for property and workman’s compensation. City Clerk Melissa Ziemianin told the board that the average increase was 20...
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Students bring Christmas cheer to living center
ANDERSON — Children’s voices rang out from the McDonald County Living Center on Friday. Over 70 Anderson Elementary School second graders were back for their quarterly visit to see their nursing home friends. The students started their afternoon visit...
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‘A Christmas Carol Suite’ to be presented Dec. 12-14
ANDERSON — The McDonald County High School theater department is in its eighth year of presenting “A Christmas Carol,” each year with a different twist. This year the school brings together the theater department, the music department and dancers from...
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Heroes Ranch serves veterans, first responders
JANE — At Heroes Ranch off Highway 90, veterans and first responders are welcome to transform “struggle into strength” with Sheep Dog Impact Assistance. Retired Marine Sgt. Maj. Lance Nutt founded Sheep Dog in 2010, and the endeavor has grown to...
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Civil War reenactment planned
JANE — The Pea Ridge Civil War reenactment is planned for Dec. 6-7 at Dentin Schwartz’s farm near Jane. The site of the reenactment alternates between the farm in McDonald County and the Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park in Prairie Grove, Ark.,...
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Veteran Park taking shape in Goodman
GOODMAN —The Goodman Veteran Park has taken shape, just in time for Veterans Day, thanks to the work of many donors, volunteers and the Goodman Betterment Club. Located on Main Street across from the Goodman Police Department, the veteran park...
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Anderson considers annexing HoneyPop’s
ANDERSON — The board of aldermen is looking to the future as it considers the possible annexation of HoneyPop’s Bar & Grill, a restaurant that sits south of town. Though aldermen and HoneyPop’s leadership are amenable to the adjustment, its fulfillment...
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New alderman joins Noel board
NOEL — Travis Friend took his oath of office during a regular meeting of the Noel Board of Aldermen on Oct. 14, an item which the board added to its agenda at the beginning of the meeting. In April, Feliberto Barrientos won the open North Ward...
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Anderson cafe turns 30 with new name
ANDERSON — Kathy “Kat” Shannon credits her mother for where she is today, and the ethics of community-first restauranting that she now employs at the family-owned cafe that celebrates 30 years this year. Carol Shannon ran the restaurant across the...
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Skeleton Acres opens with free event in Noel
NOEL — A spooky attraction which began as an elaborate yard haunt in Bella Vista, Ark. has found its permanent home in Noel. Skeleton Acres opens this year with a free, five-weekend introduction to its child-oriented haunting. The attraction includes...
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Pineville Fall Festival set for Oct. 11
The annual Pineville Fall Festival will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 11 on the square. Stephanie Sweeten, community volunteer and an organizer of the festival, said this is the event’s seventh year. Two vendors who will be at the event shared...
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Students teach robotics to kindergartners
JANE — McDonald County High School students under the instruction of teacher Joyce Pacheco led kindergarten students at White Rock Elementary School through steps to operate robots on Sept. 12. Pacheco teaches computer science at the high school. She...
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Business development center nearing completion
PINEVILLE —The McDonald County Chamber of Commerce Business Development Center, located on Harmon Street, next door to the chamber’s office at 308 Harmon, will open soon. Chamber President and CEO John Newby said the area that has served for some time...
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Southwest City aims for zoning board
SOUTHWEST CITY — The Southwest City Board of Aldermen is pushing to create a planning and zoning commission for its town, but needs at least five citizens to join. Mayor David Blake said the city cannot apply for project grants without a zoning...
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Noel citizens consider year-round Christmas
NOEL — As community members work to boost their town’s vitality, an idea to lean into Noel’s “Christmas City” name on Main Street has sparked discussion about Noel’s identity and fame. “I have decided that our town is dead,” citizen Patty Coggin said...
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Noel updates building code, welcomes inspector
NOEL — The Noel Board of Aldermen approved a new building inspector during a regular meeting on Aug. 12, after passing updates to the city’s building code recommended by the outgoing inspector. Nathaniel Cotton, whom the board approved unanimously,...
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School district hosts new teacher academy
ANDERSON — First-year teachers met August 11 at McDonald County High School for a new teacher academy hosted by the McDonald County R-1 School District and the office of Jeff Patterson, the new director of curriculum instruction. Among those who...
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Anderson store drawing customers from miles away
ANDERSON — Anderson Cheese Stop is the county’s new specialty foods store that is attracting patrons from Arkansas, Oklahoma, and beyond. Tom and Eileen Kennedy are the owners of the store, which has a variety of cheeses, wines, and other specialty...
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Sweeten not seeking reelection
PINEVILLE — Mayor Gregg Sweeten announced at the board of aldermen meeting on July 15 that he will not seek re-election for another term. He said he has served the city as mayor for 15 years, for the past 12 years, and also for three years in the...
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School board discusses capital improvements
ANDERSON — The McDonald County R-1 School District Board of Education, during a work session following its meeting on July 10, discussed capital improvement needs. Superintendent Eric Findley said he and Assistant Superintendent/Director of Operations...
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Display selected as part of traveling exhibit
PINEVILLE —The secession room at the McDonald County Historical Courthouse Museum has been selected as part of a traveling exhibit hosted by Missouri Humanities. Missouri Humanities and the Smithsonian Institution are collaborating on the larger...
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Radio club holds annual field day event in Metfield Park
BELLA VISTA, Ark. — Bella Vista Mayor John Flynn read a city proclamation regarding the benefits of amateur radio and then made one of the first long-distance contacts of the field day event, speaking with another radio operator across the country....
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ESA eighth graders recognized
The Lambda Chi Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha (ESA) recognized the achievements of exceptional eighth-grade students during promotion ceremonies held the evening of May 19 across McDonald County. As part of its 2025 Outstanding Youth Awards program,...
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Board discusses easement for sidewalks
ANDERSON — The McDonald County R-1 School District Board of Education, at its meeting on June 10, discussed providing an easement to the city of Anderson for ADA-accessible sidewalks. Assistant Superintendent and Director of Operations Will Gordon...
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Towerview FarmHerefords: A family affair in Noel
NOEL — Phillip and Beth Robidoux, husband and wife, are the owners of Towerview Farm Herefords, located at 2384 Hobbs Road. They have been raising registered Hereford cattle at their current location since 2014. Beth has extensive experience with...
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NWA Democrat-Gazette launches fundraiser
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The demands of covering the news grow as fast as the region, so the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette announced a public fundraising effort May 16 to help sustain and expand its efforts. The campaign begins with a pledge from...
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Hardin escaped from prison leading to a search
BENTONVILLE — A convicted killer and rapist, who also is a former police chief and constable in Northwest Arkansas, escaped Sunday from prison. Grant Hardin, 56, escaped at 3:40 p.m. Sunday from the North Central Unit at Calico Rock, according to a...
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Akins informs city about broken police vehicles
GOODMAN — Goodman Police Chief Michael Akins told aldermen on Tuesday, May 6, that his department’s patrol vehicles need significant repairs. He outlined the vehicles’ conditions and discussed options for repair or replacement. “Every one of our cars...
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Family erects flagpole to honor baseball soldier
SOUTHWEST CITY — Family and friends gathered at the Southwest City ballpark on Monday, April 28, to honor Ed Morey, a longtime resident and baseball enthusiast whose life revolved around his love for family and the game. With support from the city of...
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MCHS celebrates its students’ future, careers
ANDERSON — McDonald County High School hosted its Decision Day celebration on Friday May 2 to recognize its students as they pass another milestone in their lives and future careers. But this celebration was more than a party; it was an opportunity for...
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Plant sale goes into scholarship funding
ROCKY COMFORT — Residents of McDonald County and buyers from as far as northwest Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and the Joplin area flocked to Rocky Comfort Elementary at 14814 State Highway 76 for the school’s 14th annual Greenhouse Plant Sale. Proceeds...
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School board discusses Longview Head Start
ANDERSON — Following swearing in new board members on April 15, the McDonald County R-1 School District Board of Education discussed a classroom at Rocky Comfort Elementary School for the Longview Head Start program. Superintendent Eric Findley...
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County publishes election results
MCDONALD COUNTY — On Tuesday, April 8, the county held its 2025 General Municipal Election. This election covered a variety of local races for positions and seats on city councils, school boards, and other municipal offices, as well as a number of...
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Foundation to host poker run
Foundation Fifteen will host a poker run benefit on April 19, starting at West 60 Cycles in Neosho. Foundation Fifteen is a nonprofit seeking to raise awareness for suicide awareness. Rachael and Cory Smith founded it in memory of their son, Landen,...
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Wanda Eash talks about upcoming QUILT Guild show
“Quilts,” says Wanda Eash, “are a language of love.” “They represent comfort and warmth. They connect people across the generations, along with the memories of the people who made them.” But contemporary quilters don’t just create traditional log...
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Historical society to hold banquet April 26
Reservations are now being accepted for a banquet benefiting the McDonald County Historical Society to be held on April 26 at McDonald County High School. The event is the 10th annual dinner and auction, with funds raised going toward maintenance and...
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Noel has heated meeting, citizens express issues
NOEL — The city of Noel held its regular monthly meeting on March 11 at Noel City Hall, where attendance and tempers were both high. Citizens expressed concerns regarding loose dogs, city vandalism, noise complaints, and littered yards. Citizens...
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Anderson Elementary receives ‘swatting call’
ANDERSON — Anderson Elementary School underwent a soft lockdown on March 5 following a “swatting call” made to the school. According to an online post shared by the McDonald County R-1 School District, “A swatting call is a hoax call meant to cause...
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Polar plunge raises awareness for Foundation Fifteen
NOEL — More than 70 people attended a polar plunge event at River Ranch in Noel on Feb. 15 to promote Foundation Fifteen and suicide awareness. Marlene Sosa organized the event after going to the river several days in a row. “We were just doing it...
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Combat veterans interviewed about service in ‘War and Life’
BELLA VISTA. Ark. — Preston Jones of Bella Vista keeps a collection of video interviews with U.S. combat veterans and other resources on his website titled “War and Life: Discussions with Veterans.” Jones served in the U.S. Navy on an aircraft carrier...
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Pineville board makes decision on solar light
PINEVILLE — The Pineville Board of Aldermen, at its meeting on Feb. 11, decided to order a solar light for Frances Street. Mayor Gregg Sweeten said the city received a request about a year ago for a light on Frances Street. The request got pushed back...
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First chairlift-served bike park incoming
BELLA VISTA, Ark. — Efforts to expand biking infrastructure and culture in Northwest Arkansas are getting a lift, literally. OZ Trails plans for the first chairlift-served downhill mountain bike park in the region to be located at the junction of...
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MCHS band to hold mattress fundraiser
ANDERSON — The McDonald County High School band will hold a one-day mattress sale fundraiser at the high school from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb. 15. This will be the band’s second year to hold this type of fundraiser, said Ashton Conley, assistant band...
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Mayor looking to save funds
GOODMAN — On Tuesday, Jan. 21, Mayor Clay Sexson informed council members he’s been communicating with representatives from Farmer’s Bank advocating to amend the city’s yearly audits to once every five years. These efforts are to save $20,000 in city...
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New storm shelter at school gives ‘peace of mind’ to county
ANDERSON — Community leaders, faculty members, and students at the Anderson Middle School gathered together outside of the school on Thursday, Jan. 16, to celebrate the grand opening of the county’s newest storm shelter at 135 Mustang Lane. Troy Gray,...
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Women’s recovery home making progress
ANDERSON — A women’s drug and alcohol recovery house in Anderson is taking shape, and a fundraiser dinner is planned for March 1. Helping Hands for a Better Community is the name of the recovery house that Casey Daniels has been working on for several...
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1897 paper encourages visitors to find a home in McDonald County
MCDONALD COUNTY — In the Saturday, Jan. 9, 1897, issue of the Pineville Herald, an advertisement titled “Homes For Sale Cheap in McDonald County, Missouri” reached out to readers, encouraging them to find a home in McDonald County. It opens with, “Do...
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Looking back on 2024 (Part 1)
MCDONALD COUNTY — Another year has passed, and much has happened over the last 12 months in McDonald County. Following are a few news stories and events covered by the McDonald County Press during the first six months of 2024: • The McDonald County...
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Shop with a Hero held for McDonald County children
PINEVILLE — McDonald County’s Shop with a Hero was held on Dec. 18 and 19 at the Jane Walmart. The two-night event featured heroes from 21 agencies in the nearby area. On the first night, 175 children shopped, and 170 were invited to shop on the...
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Residents flock to Goodman Christmas parade
GOODMAN — Residents came together to view the annual Goodman Christmas parade on Saturday, Dec. 14. Floats from local businesses and residents traveled down Main Street as children picked up tossed candy. Parade floats lined up at the Goodman...
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Software, lawncare purchases approved
GOODMAN — After learning of issues city employees were encountering with gWorks software, Goodman City Council, on Dec. 3, approved the purchases of Central Square and SUBS software to help city employees carry out their duties. It also approved the...
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Southwest City holds Christmas events Dec. 7
Southwest City will have plenty of activity on Dec. 7 as it hosts the Tri-State Makers Market Christmas Market and a Christmas Celebration by the Southwest City Arts Center. Debbie Andrews hosts the TriState Makers Market, which is held a few times...
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City approves new equipment purchase for police department
GOODMAN — The Goodman City Council, at its Nov. 19 meeting, approved the purchase of a variety of law enforcement equipment. Police chief Michael Akins submitted documents showing the department’s salary surplus funds. According to Akins, the...
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Board discusses sick leave for teachers
ANDERSON — The McDonald County R-1 School District Board of Education, at its meeting on Nov. 14, discussed sick leave for teachers. Members were discussing a few board policies when Board Member Andy McClain drew attention to a policy regarding...
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Art teacher receives $500 grant at White Rock
JANE — Arvest presented art teacher Holly Huber at White Rock Elementary School with a $500 grant on Nov. 6. The grant was presented through the We Love Teachers program. Arvest is able to award two grants to teachers in the area per year. Bank...
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Fourth annual Veterans Day ceremony to be held
PINEVILLE — The fourth annual Veterans Day ceremony will be held in Pineville on Nov. 11 from 4 to 7 p.m. A group of local volunteers are organizing the event, which will offer free food, veteran door prizes, and entertainment. Luap McKeever, an event...
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White Rock Elementary cuts ribbon on shelter
JANE — White Rock Elementary School held a ribbon cutting for its new storm shelter on Oct. 24. Students, district principals, school board members, and community members gathered outside the storm shelter as Superintendent Eric Findley and White Rock...
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Pineville Elementary cuts ribbon on newest addition
PINEVILLE — The McDonald County R-1 School District held a ribbon cutting on Oct. 15 for the new improvements at Pineville Elementary School. Superintendent Eric Findley said the administration was grateful for the completion of the project, which was...
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Pineville Fall Festival District to apply for purple star designation
At its meeting on Oct. 8, the McDonald County R-1 School District Board of Education approved a resolution stating its support for military-connected families, a step toward applying for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s...
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Pineville to host sixth annual Fall Festival
PINEVILLE — The city of Pineville will host its sixth annual Fall Festival on the square on Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free community event will offer multiple activities, including a Jack-OLantern contest, a dog costume contest/parade, a...
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FFA members educate younger kids at Ag Day
ANDERSON — McDonald County High School FFA members shared their knowledge about farm subjects with local second graders on Sept. 26 at Ag Day. All the county’s second graders were brought by bus to the fairgrounds for Ag Day, during which the FFA...
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