Interstate 57 expected to bring economic growth, easier access to Arkansas
BEEBE — The message behind Thursday’s designation of the Interstate 57 corridor was celebrating transformation.
Officials such as U.S. Congressman French Hill (R) and Rick Crawford (R) were among the many city and state leaders who gathered to celebrate the progress.
“This is a tremendous benefit to businesses, the average individual, trucks who are hauling and moving,” Rep. Jim Wooten (R) said. “This will connect Chicago and Little Rock with a direct four-lane highway.”
Interstate 57 will stretch 400 miles north to south from Chicago to Sikeston, Mo.
Thursday’s event focused on Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) initiatives to convert 110 miles of U.S. Highway 67 to I-57, providing access for drivers between North Little Rock and Walnut Ridge.
“You take a town like Pocahontas, Corning, Walnut Ridge and others,” Crawford said. “They can say this means the world to us to be able to attract new businesses along this corridor.”
For cities like Searcy, which currently has our exits along Highway 67, I-57 is said to bring much more access to the town. Mayor Mat Faulkner spoke highly about what is set to come in the near future, stating that the change will bring needed traffic to the area.
“For those coming in from Missouri, Little Rock, or Memphis, we’re accessible,” Faulkner said. “This is really going to help encourage that momentum as we continue to grow and flourish.”
There was much more than the big reveal that shined during Thursday’s event. It was the acknowledgment of the interstate’s importance to the whole state.
“I think it means there are more services that are going to recruit, more retail will be available to people who live in those homes, and it’ll make those neighborhoods safer,” Hill said. “Growth brings just that economic effect, so I think you’ll see families and businesses benefit from the corridor.”
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Death of Forrest City teen under investigation
FORREST CITY — The investigation into the death of a Forrest City teen who went missing over the weekend is raising more questions than it is answering as the case has been taken out of the hands of the St. Francis County Sher-
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extensive two-day search conducted by several area law enforcement agencies and volunteers.
Residents near St. Francis County Road 409, close to the last place Tripp Brazeale was seen alive, described the scene as “chaotic,” noting that “nothing like that happens around here.”
The search for the teenager included people on foot, people on four-wheelers and even a few riders on horseback..
Brazeale’s parents reported that their son was “being chased” by St. Francis County deputies while he was riding his ATV on County Road 409. They said the teen’s ATV stopped running and he called his mother to come get him, but when she arrived, she was told by deputies he climbed over a fence and ran into the woods.
Some of the teen’s clothing including his boots, a hoodie and his cell phone were discovered on Sunday.
Brazeale’s body was found late Monday afternoon. According to the St. Francis County Sheriff’s Office, the teen had taken his own life, although the manner in which the apparent suicide was committed has not been released.
With State Police investigators handling the case, the state medical examiner will determine his exact cause of death. In the meantime, a Go-FundMe account has been set up for Tripp Brazeale and can be found here.
White River Wonderland at Riverside Park set to open Nov. 27th
BATESVILLE — Each winter, the light display that earned Batesville recognition as the Christmas Capital of Arkansas takes over Riverside Park for locals and visitors to experience a magical holiday season on the White River.
Last year, 99,000 people visited White River Wonderland.
Batesville's Holiday activities drew the interest of travelers from 50 states and 105 countries, reaching over 2.8 million online impressions.
Batesville's White River Wonderland has been recognized for contributing to Arkansas's growing tourism industry. It has been named the Ozark Gateway Region's 'Festival of the Year' and an Arkansas Tourism 'Attraction of the Year' Award finalist.
The City of Batesville announced that the White River Wonderland would open its 2024 display on Wednesday, Nov. 27, at 5 p.m. The lights display will be on daily from 5 p.m. to midnight. The final chance to see the lights will be Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2025.
The show features millions of dancing lights synchronized to holiday tunes. Admission to White River Wonderland is free; however, donations are accepted.
As always, visitors will have numerous options for viewing the lights.
Visitors can watch the show from the warmth of their cars as they listen to their favorite Christmas tunes on White River Wonderland's radio station. The entire display is also walkable, with illuminated sidewalks and walking trails.
A fully lit walking trail leads visitors to the light show from the overflow parking lot at the Batesville Community Center. Visitors may also ride through the display in one of the White River Wonderland's horse-drawn carriages. The custom-built White River Express train will return from November 29 through December 30, except December 25. Train rides are $6 per person ages two and up.
The synthetic-surfaced skating rink is a family favorite and will return to the Riverside Park amphitheater. It will be open from November 29 through December 30 and closed on December 24 and 25 for Christmas.
