April 2024

The Clay County Sheriff’s Department reports on Thursday, March 28, at approximately 2:23 p.m., the department conducted a consent search at 154 County Road 472, west of Greenway. The owner and resident, 33-year-old Joshua Ryan Dunham, had given consent to the department. When the Sheriff’s Department entered the house they encountered 47-year-old Ragena Marie Hardin of Rector standing at the kitchen sink with what was recognized as illegal items in her hands. The department then conducted a search of the residence where other illegal items were found. Dunham was transported to the Clay County Detention Center and booked in on the charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of SCH I or II 200GM but LT 400GM. Hardin was also transported to the Clay County Detention Center and booked in on the charges of possession of meth or cocaine LT 2GM and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture will present topics of interest to homeowner and gardeners beginning at noon on Fridays. The meeting will take place at the Rector Public Library located at 121 W. 4th St. The meetings will continue weekly based on the amount of interest from the community.

The Rector School Board met Monday, April 1, in a regular meeting on a rescheduled date to avoid any chance of disruption on April 8, the date of the Great American Eclipse, when the school system will not be in session.

At the monthly City Council meeting held April 1, at the Rector Community Center executive meeting room, those present heard from audience member Logan Lee as to potential construction of up to thirty-five apartments on city owned property near the WISE Company. Ordinance work and work with the Council and the Mayor will need to go forward prior to zoning and a timeline. Mayor Shawn Brandon and the City Council members voiced affirmative comments regarding additional affordable housing to potentially be located in Rector.