In a “Universe of Stories,” Grant County children were able to write one of their own this summer.

Thanks to a new county ordinance certain individuals can now carry a handgun on courthouse grounds

The ordinance, written by Justice of the Peace Jason Roshto, was first brought to the quorum court for an initial reading in June’s meeting.

The court met in regular conference on July 15.

What started off as a way to fulfill an art credit for her homeschool curriculum has turned into a start-up “lampworker” business for 17-year-old Olivia Valentine of Rison.

As her mother, Jennifer King, recalls, Olivia, the daughter of Brad Valentine of Sheridan, was in need of an art credit to fulfill her homeschool requirements. Since her mother owned some property in Mountain View, they decided to make a trip to the Arkansas Craft School there to check out the art options.

After 13 years with the Sheridan band program, Dennis Wolfe is broadening his horizons as the new assistant principal at East End Intermediate. The renowned trumpet player is known in the Sheridan School District’s band community for his wild anecdotes, captivating storytelling abilities, professional career with Litttle Rock’s own “Dizzy Seven,” genuine love for music and even greater love for his students.

Editor’s Note: This is the first installment of a two part series about the unsolved murder case of Thurman McCool that occurred in 1962 and remains one of the top 10 unsolved murders in the state. Part two will be published in next week’s Headlight.

Do you like to read a good murder mystery?  What if the mystery story is about a local man whose life and death became a part of Grant County and Jefferson County history?           

One of the Top 10 unsolved murders of the State of Arkansas happened in January of 1962 in the small, rural Hardin Cemetery east of Sheridan. On January 11^th, the gunshot-riddled and frozen body of John Thurman McCool was found in the passenger’s seat of his snow-covered 1960 Pontiac where seven .45 caliber bullets had been fired in killing him.  And the law enforcement of the Grant County Sheriff, the Jefferson County Sheriff, and the Arkansas State Police began an investigation into this brutal murder there in the snow.  

Grant County may wind up with a local circuit judge, not because of a statute or a judicial rule, but because of an arrangement set in motion years ago by two former circuit judges.

For 20 years, Grant and Hot Spring counties have been joined at the hip to form the Seventh Judicial District of Arkansas. With two circuit judge seats split as they are today between the two counties, many might assume that each seat is reserved for a resident from each county. However, the origins of that particular “gentleman’s agreement,” as some have called it (although not by the judges themselves), tell a different story.

Several Sheridan High School girls’ soccer players said they were exhilarated by the phenomenal success of the United States Women’s Soccer team, but their coach said the effects of such a performance won’t be felt for years to come.

Coach Kirby Johnson said of the players he has now, “I’ve already got them. I won’t get to see the impact of this World Cup win for five to 12 years when the kids in the first, second and third grades start playing.”