Helena World

05/14/2026

🚚🍴 ATTENTION LOCAL FOOD VENDORS & FOOD TRUCK OWNERS 🍴🚚

☀️ The City of Helena–West Helena invites you to join Mayor Whitfield for an open conversation regarding food truck compliance and the future of mobile vendor policy in our community.

📍 City Hall - 226 Perry St.
🗓️ Friday, May 15th
⏰ 2:00 - 2:45 PM

This meeting is an opportunity to:
✅ Ask questions
✅ Share concerns and ideas
✅ Provide input on mobile vendor policies
✅ Help shape the vision and process that works for vendors and the community alike

We want to hear directly from the people serving our community every day. Your feedback and perspective matter as we work toward fair, practical, and business-friendly solutions.

📢 All local food vendors are encouraged to attend.

05/14/2026

Affordable College Starts @ PCCUA!
Whether you prefer face-to-face or online classes, we have flexible options to fit your schedule.

✅ Affordable Tuition
✅ Face-to-Face & Online Classes Available
✅ Transferable Credits
✅ Start Your College Journey Close to Home

Enroll now and make this summer count! https://www.pccua.edu/registration-steps/

05/13/2026

🗞️ This Week in the Helena World

🏆 Central captures first outdoor state track title in school history
🎡 Kids Day at the Tri-County Fair set for May 26
⚓ Helena Harbor takes major step toward expansion project
🎓 Student to graduate from Central High and PCCUA tomorrow
💚 APSPF Day of Giving raises more than $61K for single-parent scholarships
✍️ Anderson Smith staying home after historic senior season

🎓 Plus special graduation sections and Class of 2026 features inside this week’s edition!

📍 Online and in print tomorrow!

05/13/2026

PCCUA is a multi-campus, two year college serving the communities of Eastern Arkansas.

05/13/2026

Phillips County resident Turell Williams and Country Club manager Jessie Wooten delivered emotional testimony tonight as concerns over the county’s 911 dispatch system dominated the Quorum Court meeting.

Williams said he called 911 three times while confronting suspects allegedly attempting to steal a vehicle from his mother’s home — but no officers arrived until after he drove to the police station himself.

“What do I do next time?”

Williams also described going to the police station afterward and what he said he saw inside the dispatch area.

“I’m looking back because I see a little boy playing… he was in the dispatcher’s office, waving.”

Wooten also described a separate incident involving an alleged assault at the Country Club where repeated calls for help allegedly went unanswered before eventually transferring to another county’s dispatch center.

The public comments led to a lengthy discussion about accountability, staffing concerns and who oversees Phillips County’s 911 and dispatch operations.

One justice specifically questioned who had authority over dispatch employees and whether there was disciplinary oversight. County officials stated the chain of authority runs through department supervisors and ultimately to the county judge.

Justice Kyle Stoner made a motion to allow the county judge to explore the possibility of merging Phillips County’s 911 operations with neighboring counties, while Justice Martin Rawls seconded the motion. The proposal passed unanimously by an 8-0 vote.

Complete coverage in next week’s Helena World.

05/12/2026

In what has over the years become an election year tradition, APA is again hosting candidate debates ahead of the 2026 elections.

This year's debates will feature Secretary of State and Gubernatorial candidates. Get your tickets now at https://arkansaspress.org/product/day-of-debates/

05/12/2026

05/12/2026

05/12/2026

For the first time in more than a decade, a leading pediatricians group has put out new guidance about recess, saying it’s crucial for good health and good grades and should be part of the school day for students of all ages.

05/11/2026

This Saturday!!! Get your team together, the weather is supposed to be nice on Saturday and there is fun to be had! 🏌️‍♂️⛳