The Times in 2024: Local News Year in Review, Part II
A look back at the major events in Crittenden County in the past year
By Ralph Hardin
news@theeveningtimes.com
Editor’s Note: If you missed the first half of our 2024 retrospective, check out the Dec. 30 e-edtion of the Times in the online archives.
The year 2024 is almost over, and 2025 promises tobe an eventful one here and around the world, but before we say goodbye to the past year, let’s continue our recap of the news from the past year.
June
As summer rolled around, the West Memphis Animal Shelter found itself in a state of crisis, with hundreds of dogs in the shelter’s care. With staff overwhelmed, the shelter struggled to keep up with demand.
A 66-year-old Proctor man made headlines when he was arrested for 100 counts of child pornography. Brice Kane was charges with more than a dozen felonies after a month-long multi-agency investigation.
The county was hit with a major economic blow when Hino Motors announced it would be closing its Marion facility. More than 1,300 jobs will be gradually phased out by the time the plant closes for good in 2027.
West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon launched a city improvement plan, holding a series of meetings called the “Take Action Tour.” The push would later culminate in a slate of bond issues passed by city voters in November.
In what has become somewhat of a running joke in local social circles, work on the Rich Road Bridge, closed for nearly three years now, remains stalled. The bridge’s closure has created a disruption along one of the city’s major thoroughfares with no real timetable for seeing the bridge repaired, primarily due to ongoing debate over whose responsibility the work is, as the city, county and state squabble over ownership of the bridge, the street and the bayou it crosses.
In a strange case out of Marion, a man who was questioned by Marion Animal Control officers turned a routine conversation into a tense standoff at his mother’s home on Elm Street.
After a number of hours, police finally entered the home only to find that Nicholas
See REVIEW, page A2
The Rich Road Bridge is out… maybe forever?
Mayor Marco McClendon’s “Take Action” Tour.
From page A1
a man with a history of domestic issues, was nowhere to be found. Dunn would remain on the run for several weeks before being arrested on a number of charges.
Crittenden County also joined in the nationwide observance of Juneteenth with celebrations and gatherings across our local communities.
Sadly, another gun-related death was also logged, this time resulting in the death of a 15-year-old West Memphis boy. An unnamed juvenile was arrested for the homicide on June 20.
July
Crittenden County joined in the traditional Independence Day celebrations, most notably with the return of the annual Freedom Fest at Tilden Rodgers Park.
In Marion, a crew of young artists earned a little notariety by painting a mural on the side of the local car wach on Block Street at a DeltaARTS summer project.
Another tragedy in West Memphis as a father of two was slain in a fatal shooting.
This time is was 26-year-old Martavis Thomas who was killed while celebating the 4th of July with friends and family.
The city of Marion passed a pair of ordinances aimed at keeping city residents safe.
Specifically Ordinance #239 which tightened the leash on the keeping of vicious dogs in
See REVIEW, page A3 REVIEW
From page A2
the city and mandates the spaying and neutering of specific breeds kept within the city limits.
The city of Earle received a windfall in the form of a $125,000 park revitalization grant as well as a $300,000 grant from ARDOT to put toward street improvements. in West Memphis, Hicks Park off Avalon Street near the old public library was transformed into an inclusive playground that will allow children with disabilities in the community have a safe playground experience.
Long-simmering plans for a new bridge traversing the Mississippi River between Memphis and West Memphis were finally made official in mid-July when ARDOT and TDOT announced “America’s River Crossing,” a $400 million project to construct a bridge to replace the nearly 80-year-old Memphis-Arkansas Bridge on I-66.
And the West Memphis School District began the arduous process of finding a new superintendent to replace Dr. Terrence Brown, who passed away unexpectedly in May. Assistant Superintendent Willie Harris served as the interim for several months until the School Board selected Eric Foister, an assistant superintendent from the Wynne School District, as Brown’s successor. Foister assumed his new role as head of the West Memphis School District in early December ahead of the Christmas Break.
With the ever-increasing concern about the threat of violence, the Marion School District invested more than $1 million in improving school safety. The move included using expanded technology and a larger security team to maintain order on campus.
August
In August, Crittenden County joined with professional wrestling fans around the world to mourn the loss of Marion’s own Sidney Eudy, better known by his ring name Sid Vicious. “Big Sid” died following a bout with cancer at the age of 63.
Neal Williams and family were named the 2024 Crittenden County Farm Family of the Year. Williams was honored at the annual Farm Bureau Banquet in September and the Times ran a special edition honoring Williams Farms as well.
The city of West Memphis launched a unique initiative in August aimed at growing the number of young professionals in the community. The “Make My Move” program offers $10,000 to individuals who meet certain criteria to move to the city.
DeltaARTS went through a bit of a rough spell after director Amanda Cook resigned suddenly amid an air of controversy. The nonprofit then went through a transitional period before Kerry Sullivan, former director of the Delta School in Wilson, was chosen as the new director in November. Despite the issues, Delta ARTS continued to work with local children and produced a number of shows, musicals and other events this fall.
See REVIEW, page A6
The new inclusive playground at Hicks Park.
Eric Foister REVIEW
From page A4
September
Staff and students at the Marion School District got a bit of a scare as the high school went on lockdown on Sept. 20 following a threat about a possible gun on campus. After an extensive investigation, no action was deemed necessary.
The Times ran a spotlight story featuring young Karson Davis of Earle. The 3-year-old was born at just 24 weeks into his mother’s pregnancy, but he managed to survive and thrive with the help of the staff at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis.
ASU Mid-South announced the expansion of its Aviation Center. The West Memphisbased community college hopes the expansion will allow local residents learn skills that will allow them access to high-paying jobs.
Law enforcement had a busy September, including a raid by West Memphis police at a gang house that resulted in arrests and the seizure of weapons. Meanwhile, Arkansas State Police seized 15 pounds of cocaine during a traffic stop near Lehi.
A recent addition to the annual celebrations rolled back around on the calendar in September, with the third annual SSGT Taylor Hoover Memorial 5K. The event has gotten bigger each year.
October
As the 2024 General Election approached, the Crittenden County Election Commission made a move to hold early voting in a single location — the Marion High School Arena — a move that did not sit well with voters who filed a suit over not having any early voting sites in West
See REVIEW, page A9
The 3rd annual SSGT Taylor Hoover Memorial 5K.
From page A6
Memphis, the most populated city in Crittenden County. Ultimately, a judge ordered that the commission not only have early voting in West Memphis, but that it would need to have two polling sites in the city.
West Memphis also got a bit of an economic boost, as the Coca-Cola plant there announced a $25 million expansion that will bring more jobs to the community.
Former West Memphis Blue Devil and Arkansas Razorback Curtis Washington Jr., now a member of the Seattle Mariners organization making his way through the minor leagues, paid a visit to his alma mater following the end of the 2024 season to speak to the latest crop of Blue Devil baseball players ahead of his “Gotta Believe” youth baseball camp. In the biggest local sporting event of the year, the Marion Patriots prevailed over the West Memphis Blue Devils in the 2024 Hometown Showdown football game. This year’s edition of the annual rivalry game was a showcase for the Patriots, who won by a score of 48-6.
And in what might not seem like a major news item but certaintly had the community buzzing, wildly the popular travel center Buc-ee’s announced that they would be building a new facility in West Memphis, bringing the promise of increased revenue for the city and new jobs for the community.
November
After months of anticipation, voters finally cast their ballots in the 2024 elections. At the top of the local ballot, two new state representatives were chosen, with Democrat Jessie McGruder winning the District 36 race, and Hughes Mayor Lincoln Barnett winning the seat for District 63.
Both McGruder and Barnett will take their seats in the Arkansas House of Representatives when the legislature convenes in January in Little Rock.
On Nov. 8, another violent incident left a man dead from gunfire, this time outside Southland Casino Hotel.
Travis Boys was ultimately named as the prime suspect in the deadly incident.
Crittenden County celebrated Veterans Day, saluting all those who served. While rainy weather put a damper on parade plans, the City of West Memphis honored Korean War veteran John Wesley Holden on Nov. 11.
December
The holiday season arrived in Crittenden County right on schedule with a full slate of Christmas-related events, including the Tree Lighting Festival at Worrthington Park in West Memphis, Mingle & Jingle in Marion, the parades in Earle, Marion and West Memphis, as well as some more fun events like “The Grinch” screening at Movie on the Square and the Winter Festival in West Memphis featuring ral ice skating.
Making headlines: The West Memphis Police Department took to social media to help catch the bad guys, with a number of quick arrests being made thanks to the WMPD’s Facebook followers.
With the spirit of giving in the air local efforts like the Angel Tree, Operation Christmas Child, Shop with a Cop, Bikes for Tykes and others helped to make the season bright for those in need.
And December marked the end of an era as three longtime local leaders stepped down from their posts. District Judge Fred Thorne, State Rep. Milton Nicks, and State Rep. Deborah Ferguson all saw their terms come to an end after choosing not to seek re-election.
Their time in office will be well remembered as they served all of the people of Crittenden County.
Who know’s what 2025 will bring? Happy new year!
The Marion Patriots won the 2024 Hometown Showdown.
John Wesley Holden
