Thanks to Jasper lifelong resident, Johnny Joe Phillips, the same bell that was rung 50 years ago was rung this year. According to Phillips, who was 13 years old for the Bicentennial, there had … more

What do you want to learn from the candidates in the 2026 elections? What will enable you to cast a more-informed ballot? more

What do you want to learn from the candidates in the 2026 elections? What will enable you to cast a more-informed ballot? more

The Little Buffalo was crossed by fords during the nineteenth centuries. The crossing became hazardous during bad weather, and there are reports of both people and animals lost as they attempted to cross when the river was in flood. more

The Little Buffalo was crossed by fords during the nineteenth centuries. The crossing became hazardous during bad weather, and there are reports of both people and animals lost as they attempted to cross when the river was in flood. more

I hope everyone enjoyed the Christmas and New Year holidays. We were busy during the Christmas season, hosting some of the family and friends for get togethers. We also joined other family members at their homes for delicious meals and good fellowship. It is always a joy to be with our dear loved ones during the Christmas season. more

I hope everyone enjoyed the Christmas and New Year holidays. We were busy during the Christmas season, hosting some of the family and friends for get togethers. We also joined other family members at their homes for delicious meals and good fellowship. It is always a joy to be with our dear loved ones during the Christmas season. more

What do you want to learn from the candidates in the 2026 elections? What will enable you to cast a more-informed ballot? more

What do you want to learn from the candidates in the 2026 elections? What will enable you to cast a more-informed ballot? more

In 1966, the former Newton County Trout Farm and the 160 acres around it were purchased by investors, including cartoonist Al Capp, to create Dogpatch USA. Capp had resisted offers to build a theme park based on his hillbilly characters for years, but when he saw Newton County, he was so taken that he invested money and gave the project his blessing. The hopes were to build a theme park rivaling Disneyland. more

In 1966, the former Newton County Trout Farm and the 160 acres around it were purchased by investors, including cartoonist Al Capp, to create Dogpatch USA. Capp had resisted offers to build a theme park based on his hillbilly characters for years, but when he saw Newton County, he was so taken that he invested money and gave the project his blessing. The hopes were to build a theme park rivaling Disneyland. more

Jasper has known several fires in its history, from the 1863 skirmish where Union forces torched the public buildings to escape a larger Confederate force to several houses burning to the ground, leaving families homeless without possessions. more

Jasper has known several fires in its history, from the 1863 skirmish where Union forces torched the public buildings to escape a larger Confederate force to several houses burning to the ground, leaving families homeless without possessions. more

Rabies has always been a problem, but in the early 1950s, there were a couple of outbreaks that raised concern. more

Rabies has always been a problem, but in the early 1950s, there were a couple of outbreaks that raised concern. more

Polio, sometimes call infantile paralysis, was a feared disease that left many crippled. In Newton County, most of the polio victims were children. In 1950, 4 year old Wanda Sue Matlock was diagnosed. In November 1951, Jeff Kilgore, then 9, was stricken quite suddenly with the disease. He had been fine the day before, walking the two miles to the bus school and had attended school as usual. But at breakfast the next day, he became it, and was taken to the doctor who diagnosed the disease. Around the same time, Virgil Willis's six year old son was also stricken. All these children were taken to Children's Hospital in Little Rock for treatment. As the toll of polio victims rose, the Newton County News advised its readers to avoid over-fatigue, swimming, and becoming chilled. more

Polio, sometimes call infantile paralysis, was a feared disease that left many crippled. In Newton County, most of the polio victims were children. In 1950, 4 year old Wanda Sue Matlock was diagnosed. In November 1951, Jeff Kilgore, then 9, was stricken quite suddenly with the disease. He had been fine the day before, walking the two miles to the bus school and had attended school as usual. But at breakfast the next day, he became it, and was taken to the doctor who diagnosed the disease. Around the same time, Virgil Willis's six year old son was also stricken. All these children were taken to Children's Hospital in Little Rock for treatment. As the toll of polio victims rose, the Newton County News advised its readers to avoid over-fatigue, swimming, and becoming chilled. more

Nowadays, we take electricity for granted, but it wasn't that long ago that no one in Newton County was on the grid. more

Nowadays, we take electricity for granted, but it wasn't that long ago that no one in Newton County was on the grid. more

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the second part of a two-part story chronicling the career of Western Grove veterinarian Dr. Beverly. more