Each year as we sit down to write our year in review here at Imboden Live we have a opportunity to reflect over the high points and the annual events in our community. We use this time to take a detailed look at the articles that were most read and commented on by readers of our local news site.
We are proud to announce that 2013 marked Imboden Live’s biggest year in reader’s. Our viewer numbers actually doubled from the previous year of 2012.
I would also like to take the time to announce that the most clicked on/searched outside website link was the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office. The LCSO articles here on Imboden Live include the most wanted , arrests, drug take back programs, news, and more. Congratulations LCSO!
The most clicked on/searched business page on Imboden Live was Pig-N-Out BBQ. Congratulations to Pig-N-Out for their popular online menu!
Also a big thank all of our business advertisers, website clients, readers, contributors, and sponsors. We wish them continued success for the upcoming year.
Here is our compilation of some of the most read and outstanding articles of the year 2013.
January
January 2012 marked some of the beginning stages of construction on the Black River bridge and traffic was reduced to one lane for a period of time while repairs were made to the current bridge.
On January 15th an unexpected large snowfall hit Lawrence County making driving conditions difficult for travelers. Lawrence County Officers, Arkansas State Police, Ravenden Police and Imboden Fire Fighters worked for over 4 hours attempting to clear numerous vehicles from the ditches and stalled in the roads.
Sloan Hendrix, Imboden Area Charter School and Black Rock Schools all closed shortly after noon that Tuesday.
Our own Lady Greyhounds of Sloan-Hendrix defeated the Lady Mustangs of Hoxie in a 54 to 52 victory in the senior girls championship game of the 2013 Lawrence County Basketball Tournament
February
On February 4th in the early morning hours a car hauler fire On Hwy 63 near Black Rock closed the road for several hours while Black Rock Fire Department, Imboden Fire Department worked to extinguish the blaze Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office deputies, and Arkansas State Police stopped traffic for firefighters.
February 22nd the Lawrence County Dispatch received a 911 call reporting a boat capsizing on the Black River sending 4 into the water near the Game and Fish Launch off Hwy 361 near Lynn.
The Lynn Volunteer Fire Department and Lawrence County Sheriff’s Dive and Recovery Team were sent to the scene. Two of the victims swam back to the boat launch but two others were stranded across the river. Deputies launched the Sheriff’s boat and recovered the stranded individuals bring them back to the launch.
Also in February the Koinonia Christian Fellowhip in Imboden offered a food ministry for the public on Wednesday evenings consisting of a free meal and fellowship.
March
March 10th, 2013 14 year old Sidney Nicole Randall of Walnut Ridge was reported as missing. Walnut Ridge Police Department, the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, the Lawrence County Dive and Recovery team, Arkansas State Police, law enforcement from surrounding counties, volunteer searchers all joined forces to search throughout the county for the missing girl.
The main suspect in the disappearance of the 14 year old was Sidney’s 37 year old step-father John Cornell,who was found dead in the Walnut Ridge area of a self inflicted gun shot wound to the head on March 11th, 2013.
The search continued for the missing girl.
April
On April 5th a semi truck overturned on Hwy. 63 in Imboden near the Imboden Church Of Christ. The overturned semi took down several power lines causing a power outage in Imboden with approximately 500 homes and businesses losing electricity.
The semi was carrying several thousands of pounds of dog food.
The Imboden Volunteer Fire Department responded to the accident along with units from the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, AET Ambulance of Imboden and the Arkansas State Police.
The Annual Friends of the Library Pancake Breakfast held on Saturday, April 13th 2013. 119 people attend the breakfast including all of the art contest winners from Sloan-Hendrix School. The total amount cleared from the fundraiser was $681.10. The funds raised go to help the Bobbie Jean Memorial Library in Imboden and to pay for the books given away during the FOL Christmas Party at the library.
May
In early May, Sloan-Hendrix School released a statement in response to a letter by 1990 Sloan-Hendrix graduate Bryant Huddleston ,who had hoped to be the keynote speaker at the upcoming graduation ceremony. Huddleston’s letter made headlines in both local and national media outlets. Sloan-Hendrix made the decision to discontinue the use of outside speakers and thereby shorten an already lengthy graduation program.
On May 10th, 2013 at 7:00 pm in the Bill McCurley Gymnasium Sloan-Hendrix High School Graduation was held. Over 1.26 million dollars in scholarships were awarded to the Class of 2013 which is a record number of money awarded to Sloan-Hendrix graduates.
The Imboden Girl Scouts held an Armed Forces Day Luncheon to honor mothers and wives of fallen Veterans on Armed Forces Day.
On May 18th at approximately 5:40 pm the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office received a call reporting a possible body on the Black River, Sheriff Jody Dotson accompanied by deputies and members of the LCSO Dive Team were escorted to a location about 1 mile downstream from the Old Davidsonville State Park Boat Ramp by a local fisherman. The body was later confirmed to be that of Walnut Ridge girl, 14-year old Sidney Nicole Randall who had been missing since May 10th.
The Sloan-Hendrix Alumni banquet was held on Saturday, May 25th and was a great success with many attending the banquet. Judie Caldwell Hackworth was the President for this year and Jeremy Jones served as the toastmaster, Mike Mcleod provided the entertainment for the evening. Sloan-Hendrix High School classes of 1963, 1968, and 1993 celebrated reunions this year.
An overturned chicken truck On Hwy 115 caused the road to be closed on Memorial Day. The semi lost control and overturned spilling chickens all over the road, killing some.
June
The Bobbie Jean Memorial Library in Imboden, The Driftwood Library in Lynn, and the Lawrence County Library in Walnut Ridge kicked off their Annual Summer Reading Programs. This year the theme was “Dig into Reading”
The 108th annual Portia Picnic festivities began on June 25th.
On June 28, 2013 the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office arrested Stephanie Roberts,age 27,Kelsey Hanshaw ,age 21 and Carson Gates ,age 20 all from Walnut Ridge. Charges included delivery of meth, possession of meth, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and use of a communication device to commit a felony. Gates was also charged with escape and possession of heroin.
The Lawrence County K-9 Officer arrested Carson Gates, 20 of Walnut Ridge after Gates had escaped officers earlier in the week while in handcuffs.
July
A late night camper fire in Ravenden reported was related to the suspect in the Spring River propane truck theft that occurred on July 4th.
The suspect apparently had warrants out of Missouri and fled after the Rone Valley camper fire, going through the woods and stole a propane truck.
The suspect then went on to Imboden where he wrecked the propane truck , abandoned it, and broke into a residence behind McLeod’s grocery . Then went on to steal another vehicle from that address and fled back into Missouri.
The Bobbie Jean Memorial Library in Imboden, Driftwood Library in Lynn and the main branch the Lawrence County Library acquired a new cataloging system for library patrons. The new system has some amazing new features where patrons can access the library catalog from home, place titles on reserve, and browse the newest materials from the What’s Hot listing. The new text/e-mail notifications for placing books on reserve and receive texts or emails when library materials are due also brought more ease of use features to library patrons.
The Battle of the Badges: Law Enforcement vs. Fire Department, Walnut Ridge Community Blood Drive was sponsored by Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
August
Sheriff Jody Dotson of the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, delivered backpacks filled with school supplies to Sloan-Hendrix, Black Rock and Hillcrest Schools this week. The school supplies were collected by the ATOD Coalition of Lawrence County and the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office to help local students fill their back to school supply lists. More supplies and backpacks were given out to area students at the Back to School Block Party in Hoxie.
Aug.12, 2013 The Arkansas State Medical Examiner’s Office stated the cause of death in 14 year old Sidney Randall of Walnut Ridge was “Blunt Force Trauma†to the head. The search for Sidney Randall was one of the largest and most intense searches in Lawrence County History, spanning for some 71 days before being recovered in a joint effort by the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office and Randolph County Sheriff’s Office after the body was spotted by a local fisherman about one mile south of Old Davidsonville State Park.
Randall was last seen the evening of March 9th, on March 11th her stepfather’s body was discovered on a farm road with an apparent self inflicted gun shot wound to the head. Searchers combed Lawrence County and surrounding counties, following up on every available lead during the search. The stepfather, John Cornell was considered the prime suspect during the investigation.
Voters approved the sales tax to support Lawrence Memorial Hospital by a large margin, voters approved the extension of the half-cent tax and the addition of a second half-cent tax.
The 89th Annual Lawrence County Fair was held the week of August 12th-17th, 2013. Events included the carnival, PRCA Rodeo, livestock show, auto show, talent competition, and the Lawrence County Pageants. Allyson Smith who attends Williams Baptist College won the Miss Lawrence County 2013 crown. The Junior Miss Lawrence County title went to Lily Mcquay.
September
BEATLES AT THE RIDGE MUSIC FESTIVAL 2013 was held in Walnut Ridge on September 20th and 21st Three stages of live entertainment featured all kinds of music, Beatles, early Rock ‘n’ Roll, Country and even Bluegrass, from both local and national musicians. The festival includes numerous street vendors, entertainers, food, and fun.
Freedom in the Park Celebration in Imboden kicked off at the Imboden City Park on September 14th. The celebration honors veterans and those who serve in our military and is sponsored by S&H Quick Stop owner Judy Henderson. The celebration includes free entertainment and food for those who attend.
Governor Mike Beebe appointed Lawrence County Sheriff , Jody Dotson to the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council. Dotson was nominated by the Arkansas Sheriff’s Association
October
A fatal accident near Jesup resulted in Lawrence County Sheriff’s deputies and other agencies searching well into the night for the driver,who left the scene of the accident. Daniel Walling was found and taken into custody less than 24 hours after the accident. The female passenger of the vehicle Tiffany Ramsey , age 31 of Cave City died from injuries sustained during the crash. Walling was charged with negligent homicide and leaving the scene of an accident.
The Black Rock Foothills Festival, Williams Baptist College Harvest Fest, the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office Drug Take Back, ATOD Lead and Seed Fall Festival, Powhatan Ghost Walks and the Imboden Halloween Block Party were just a few of the area events that took place in the month of October in Lawrence County.
November
The Lawrence County School District announced the closing at the end of the school year of Black Rock School.
Black Rock senior Angel Burton contributed a personal story about how words can hurt in an article on bullying she submitted to Imboden Live.
The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office Treasure Hunt began to return unclaimed bond money to rightful owners. Each week the Sheriff’s office posted a list of names and many locals came in to claim their cash.
On Monday, November 4th, Sloan-Hendrix Drama Club presented Star Search 2013 in the Bill McCurley Gymnasium. Talented performances from elementary, middle school, high school, and staff kept the audience entertained with a total of 22 acts taking the stage during the night.
Greyhounds, Glitz, and Glamour : Sloan-Hendrix Homecoming 2013 was held and the senior boys, girls and junior boys won their games against the rival Mammoth Springs Bears. Brittany Gosha was crowned Senior Homecoming Queen and Makenzie Rone was crowned Junior Homecoming Queen.
December
The City of Walnut Ridge held it’s Christmas Parade on December 2nd.
Other parades were cancelled or postponed when the area was hit with sleet and snow in early December. The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office had hummvee vehicles out in full force during the inclement weather helping stranded motorists and working wrecks due to the icy roads.
The Bobbie Jean Memorial Library and Imboden Friends of the Library Christmas party was held and local children visited with Santa and received a free book.
The Imboden Christmas Parade was held a week later than announced due to the weather. Many turned out to view the floats, classic cars, fire trucks, and Santa.
ATOD Coalition of Lawrence County raised funds to be able to help 20 local children on the Angel Tree have a great Christmas this year.
Imboden Live would like to thank all our contributors, readers, business advertisers, and friends and to wish you all a safe and Happy New Year’s Eve!
