NEA Report

15/04/2026

From K8: A restaurant developer is making a new push for a liquor license after the Craighead County Quorum Court denied a previous request. It would be in the area of north Jonesboro.

A north Jonesboro developer is making a second attempt to get a liquor license for a planned restaurant after the Craighead County Quorum Court rejected his first application last year.

15/04/2026

🚔 Two suspects were arrested after a Paragould traffic stop for driving without headlights turned up suspected m**h, ma*****na, paraphernalia and open containers, according to affidavits.

Police said Jeremy Wells, 43, was driving, while Mariah J. Wiseman, 28, fled on foot before she was caught. Wells’ bail was set at $25,000 cash or surety, and Wiseman’s bail was set at $30,000 cash or surety.

🔗 https://neareport.com/2026/04/15/paragould-traffic-stop-leads-to-arrests-of-two-suspects-on-drug-charges-affidavits-say/

15/04/2026

🌸 Happening now at A-State: The Department of Art + Design’s three-day Festival of Flowers is underway, bringing together art, ecology, and community with presentations, workshops, native plant giveaways, an exhibit and downtown activities through Friday.

🔗 https://neareport.com/2026/04/15/festival-of-flowers-brings-the-community-together/

15/04/2026

🚔 A 62-year-old was arrested after Paragould police said he was found impaired with a child in the vehicle following a traffic complaint near the city limits.

Michael D. Orr now faces first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor, DWI second offense, obstructing governmental operations, and open container.

His bail was set at $7,500 cash only, and Judge Curtis Hitt ordered alcohol monitoring by ankle monitor.

🔗 https://neareport.com/2026/04/15/62-year-old-arrested-on-dwi-child-endangerment-counts-after-traffic-stop-near-paragould-affidavit-says/

15/04/2026

💪 Williams Baptist University’s planned wellness center is $100,000 closer to becoming a reality after new gifts from the Dave Russell family and Tekla Research.

The contribution marks the first installment of a $500,000 pledge toward the J. E. and L. E. Mabee Foundation Wellness Center, which university leaders say will support physical fitness, mental health, and community engagement on campus.

🔗 https://neareport.com/2026/04/15/the-russell-family-tekla-give-100000-to-wbu-wellness-center/

14/04/2026

🎓 From research posters to creative projects and hands-on demos, Create@State returns Thursday as A-State students showcase faculty-mentored work from across all eight colleges.

Expect to see stuff like:

-Poster sessions highlighting innovative projects across STEM, arts, business, education, and other areas.
-Creative and artistic works, including design, media, performance, and interdisciplinary collaborations.
-Hands-on demonstrations and applied projects
-Opportunities to meet student researchers, ask questions, and discover how their work impacts the community.

The free public symposium begins at 8 a.m. April 16, on the third floor of the Reng Student Union.

🔗 https://neareport.com/2026/04/14/annual-createstate-symposium-returns-thursday/

14/04/2026

🎓 Big honors for Arkansas State’s future engineers and computer scientists — from Landon Elliot Rogers of Jonesboro earning the Chancellor’s Scholar Award and a 4.0 Scholar Award to top students across the college being recognized at this year’s Convocation of Scholars.

MORE: https://neareport.com/2026/04/14/engineering-and-computer-science-awards-for-2025-26-presented-at-convocation/

14/04/2026

👑✨ Kacey Tomlinson of Calico Rock is the new Miss Williams Baptist University.

The freshman English major with a music minor didn’t just take the crown Friday night. She also won talent and Miss Congeniality. Nevaeh Larkins was named first runner-up, Emberlin Caldwell took second runner-up, and Rachel Dudley won the People’s Choice Award.

🔗 https://neareport.com/2026/04/14/kacey-tomlinson-crowned-miss-williams-baptist-university/

14/04/2026

🌿 Joel Antonio Rose, 18, was arrested for a Class C felony after Paragould police said a traffic stop on West Court Street led to the discovery of 264.1 grams of ma*****na and digital scales inside a backpack.

He was booked on a felony possession-with-purpose-to-deliver charge, and his bail was set at $25,000 cash or surety with an ankle monitor requirement.

🔗 https://neareport.com/2026/04/14/traffic-stop-leads-to-paragould-felony-ma*****na-arrest/

14/04/2026

⚖️ Robert Smith, 40, of Paragould, was arrested after police said he sent messages and videos threatening another parole officer.

Investigators said the case also involved an order stating Smith was to be taken into custody for a forensic evaluation.

His bond was set at $1 million, according to jail records.

🔗 https://neareport.com/2026/04/14/police-say-paragould-defendant-threatened-to-kill-parole-officer-bond-set-at-1-million/

14/04/2026

🎭 Williams Baptist University Theatre will close its 2025-26 season with The Spitfire Grill, a musical about second chances, small-town secrets, and new beginnings.

The show will run April 23-25 in WBU’s Startup Chapel, with evening performances on Thursday and Friday and a Saturday matinee. Tickets are $8 general admission and $5 for students and seniors.

🔗 https://neareport.com/2026/04/14/wbu-theatre-to-present-the-spitfire-grill-april-23-25/

14/04/2026

🛒 Landon Edward Wise, 41, of Jonesboro, was arrested after police said he was seen on surveillance video leaving Lowe’s with a cart full of merchandise without paying and loading it into a truck.

Investigators said the stolen items were valued at $1,017.58 - just over the threshold for a felony charge. Bail set at $7,500 cash or surety.

🔗 https://neareport.com/2026/04/14/police-say-lowes-shoplifting-topped-1000-man-arrested/