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Prism Local News

Phillips County, Arkansas
"Your Local News, Powered by AI Journalism"

About Phillips, AR

Population
Approximately 17,782 residents
County Seat
Helena-West Helena, Arkansas
Coverage Area
695 square miles in eastern Arkansas

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Newsroom monitoring local Phillips, AR developments. Next update cycle in 50 minutes.

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AGFC Manages 1,510-Acre Buck Island WMA Accessible Only by Boat
Community

AGFC Manages 1,510-Acre Buck Island WMA Accessible Only by Boat

A 1,510-acre Buck Island WMA in the Mississippi River just north of Helena River Park is managed by AGFC and reachable only by a three-minute boat ride from Helena Harbor.

Marcus Williams3m read
Treyton Russell Pleads Guilty in Elaine Shooting, Sentenced to 15 Years
Government

Treyton Russell Pleads Guilty in Elaine Shooting, Sentenced to 15 Years

Treyton Russell, 23, of Wabash pleaded guilty March 2, 2026 to second-degree murder and first-degree battery for an April 2023 Oak Street apartment shooting that killed an unborn child, Paisley.

Marcus Williams2m read
Leslie Galloway’s Meals on Wheels helped nearly 2,000 Helena-West Helena dogs
Community

Leslie Galloway’s Meals on Wheels helped nearly 2,000 Helena-West Helena dogs

Leslie Galloway's Meals on Wheels has helped nearly 2,000 Helena‑West Helena dogs since 2010; one foster, Sky, survived being found dangling from a porch.

Lisa Park2m read
Pillow-Thompson House Anchors Helena Tourism and Hosts Hospitality Training Programs
Community

Pillow-Thompson House Anchors Helena Tourism and Hosts Hospitality Training Programs

Pillow-Thompson House at 718 Perry Street is a restored 1896 Queen-Anne Victorian open to the public since June 3, 1997, and available for rentals including the "Fabulous First Thursday Lunch."

Marcus Williams2m read
Entergy Arkansas Hosts Customer Care Pop-up at Phillips Community College
Community

Entergy Arkansas Hosts Customer Care Pop-up at Phillips Community College

Entergy Arkansas scheduled customer care events Feb. 9–11 offering LIHEAP sign‑ups, billing help and energy‑saving advice; the Feb. 9 Phillips Community College site is listed as 2807 US‑165, Stuttgart, but a March 5 notice named PCCUA in Helena‑West Helena.

Lisa Park2m read
Helena-West Helena Council Delays Cybersecurity Measures, Receives Water System Update
Government

Helena-West Helena Council Delays Cybersecurity Measures, Receives Water System Update

Helena-West Helena council deferred proposed cybersecurity measures during its Feb. 27 regular business session while Mayor Joseph Whitfield briefed members on ongoing city water system improvement work.

James Thompson2m read
Two 19-year-olds charged in Feb. 26 Helena-West Helena shooting, victim in ICU
Community

Two 19-year-olds charged in Feb. 26 Helena-West Helena shooting, victim in ICU

An adult male is in the Intensive Care Unit after a shooting about 6 p.m. on Feb. 26 on the 700 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive; two 19-year-olds have been charged, police said.

Lisa Park2m read
Helena-West Helena Housing Authority Files Eviction in Phillips County Court
Government

Helena-West Helena Housing Authority Files Eviction in Phillips County Court

Helena‑West Helena Housing Authority filed an eviction in Phillips County Circuit Court on March 5, 2026; one source lists case no. 54CV-26-75 and another names a different defendant.

Marcus Williams2m read
Phillips County March 3 ballot features county office races, Slayton and Stoner
Government

Phillips County March 3 ballot features county office races, Slayton and Stoner

Phillips County voters joined Arkansans in party primaries on March 3, 2026, where Democratic county-judge candidates Anthony T. Slayton and Brian Stoner were on the ballot.

James Thompson2m read
Marvell-Elaine girls compete in 1A-3 regional at Bradford Feb. 25
Education

Marvell-Elaine girls compete in 1A-3 regional at Bradford Feb. 25

Marvell‑Elaine’s girls team played at the 1A‑3 regional in Bradford on Feb. 25; public game logs show a 69-10 result but the opponent listed differs across sources.

Sarah Chen2m read
Angel Lazala-Soto Sentenced to 70 Months After Crittenden County Stop
Government

Angel Lazala-Soto Sentenced to 70 Months After Crittenden County Stop

Angel Lazala‑Soto, 60, was sentenced March 6, 2026 to 70 months in federal prison and five years supervised release after Arkansas State Police found seven kilos of cocaine in his trunk during a Crittenden County traffic stop.

James Thompson2m read
PCCUA Helena-West Helena Campus Anchors Higher Education, Workforce Training in Phillips County
Education

PCCUA Helena-West Helena Campus Anchors Higher Education, Workforce Training in Phillips County

PCCUA's Helena-West Helena campus serves as Phillips County's anchor for higher education, workforce training and community services across the eastern Arkansas Delta.

Sarah Chen1m read
Long Lake 200-MW solar project secures Meta offtake with DESRI
Business

Long Lake 200-MW solar project secures Meta offtake with DESRI

Meta has signed a long-term PPA for the Long Lake 200 MWac solar project in Phillips County with DESRI as long-term owner-operator; developers say construction jobs and local economic benefits will follow.

Sarah Chen3m read
Two major leaks leave up to 4,500 without water in Helena-West Helena
Government

Two major leaks leave up to 4,500 without water in Helena-West Helena

Two major leaks on Feb. 22, 2026 drained Helena‑West Helena’s 70-foot standpipe and forced a roughly 48-hour shutdown, leaving many without water while ARWA crews worked onsite.

Marcus Williams2m read
How Residents Access Phillips County Public Offices, Records and Services
Government

How Residents Access Phillips County Public Offices, Records and Services

Residents seeking Phillips County public records and services must often go in person or use phone and fax; knowing the right contacts and procedures speeds requests and avoids delays.

James Thompson3m read
Thompson-Robbins Airport Boosts Phillips County Business and MedEvac Access
Business

Thompson-Robbins Airport Boosts Phillips County Business and MedEvac Access

Thompson-Robbins Airport (FAA: KHEE, IATA: HEE) functions as Phillips County’s primary general-aviation gateway, supporting business travel, agricultural operations, flight training and emergency medical transport. Its runways, fueling and basing services make it a practical asset for local economic development and emergency response, affecting residents, farmers and potential investors.

Sarah Chen2m read
Local hospital, foundation and UAMS presence sustain health services in Phillips County
Healthcare

Local hospital, foundation and UAMS presence sustain health services in Phillips County

Phillips County relies on a network of local and regional partners to keep emergency care, specialty access and workforce training available close to home. Helena Regional Medical Center, the Helena Health Foundation and UAMS regional programs together provide inpatient and outpatient services, telehealth and community grants that matter for residents of Helena West Helena, Marvell, Elaine and Lake View.

Dr. Elena Rodriguez2m read
Helena Educator Johnson-Cox Wins Grant Funding Wildlife Curriculum and Field Trips
Education

Helena Educator Johnson-Cox Wins Grant Funding Wildlife Curriculum and Field Trips

Helena-area educator Johnson-Cox wins a Wildlife Education Grant to fund wildlife curriculum and field trips, expanding outdoor learning and stewardship for local students.

Lisa Park2m read
Helena Regional Medical Center remains key health hub for Phillips County
Healthcare

Helena Regional Medical Center remains key health hub for Phillips County

Helena Regional Medical Center provides 24/7 emergency care and a broad range of inpatient and outpatient services that keep essential health services close to Phillips County residents.

Dr. Elena Rodriguez2m read
Phillips County Sheriff's site lists jobs, jail info and public services
Government

Phillips County Sheriff's site lists jobs, jail info and public services

The sheriff's office website lists job openings and public safety resources useful for residents. It matters for anyone checking detainment status, applying for jobs, or seeking non-emergency contacts.

Marcus Williams2m read
PCCUA Helena Campus Provides Key Workforce and Education Programs
Education

PCCUA Helena Campus Provides Key Workforce and Education Programs

Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas operates a Helena campus in Helena West Helena that serves as a primary higher education and workforce training institution for Phillips County and the surrounding Delta region. The campus offers nursing and allied health training, commercial driver and skilled trade instruction, workforce certificates, and concurrent credit for high school students, making it a central resource for local job preparation and post secondary credentials.

Marcus Williams1m read
What Phillips County Residents Need to Know About Property Taxes
Government

What Phillips County Residents Need to Know About Property Taxes

Phillips County officials are urging property owners to confirm assessed values and review exemptions before making tax payments, to avoid overpayments and resolve disputes early. Knowing who to contact at the courthouse, how to document payments, and how deadlines and penalty rules work will help residents protect their finances and property records.

James Thompson2m read
Pillow Thompson House anchors Helena tourism, supports student training
Community

Pillow Thompson House anchors Helena tourism, supports student training

The restored Queen Anne style Pillow Thompson House in Helena, built in 1896 for Jerome B. Pillow, remains open for public tours and serves as a hands on hospitality training lab for Phillips Community College. Its role in the downtown heritage circuit helps draw visitors to Helena and supports local businesses, workforce development, and broader community well being.

Lisa Park2m read
Phillips County: Delta River Port History, Agriculture, Poverty, Cultural Revival
Community

Phillips County: Delta River Port History, Agriculture, Poverty, Cultural Revival

Phillips County balances a deep river-port past and strong agricultural base with persistent poverty and a growing cultural-tourism revival.

Marcus Williams2m read
Community-led study maps barriers to healthy eating in Phillips County
Healthcare

Community-led study maps barriers to healthy eating in Phillips County

A nine-month project in Marvell and Elaine identified barriers to healthy eating and pushed for community-driven, culturally respectful solutions.

Dr. Elena Rodriguez2m read
Helena Museum anchors Phillips County history in restored landmark
Community

Helena Museum anchors Phillips County history in restored landmark

the Helena Museum of Phillips County preserves local artifacts in a historic 1889-1891 Second Empire building and supports heritage tourism and local education.

Sarah Chen2m read
Phillips County Library Remains Vital Local Hub for Access and Equity
Community

Phillips County Library Remains Vital Local Hub for Access and Equity

The Phillips County Library system operates three branches in Helena, Marvell and Elaine, providing free books, public computers, eBooks, genealogy materials and year-round programming that many residents rely on for work, school and health services. Its services and limited hours highlight persistent gaps in broadband and community resources that affect access to telehealth, job searches and educational support across the county.

Lisa Park2m read
PCCUA Helena Campus Anchors Education and Workforce Training in Phillips County
Education

PCCUA Helena Campus Anchors Education and Workforce Training in Phillips County

Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas operates a major Helena campus at 1000 Campus Drive, providing two year college degrees, career technical training, adult education and community services for Phillips County and the eastern Arkansas Delta. The campus functions as a local workforce pipeline and community resource, offering programs and support that matter to residents and employers across the region.

Sarah Chen2m read
Historic Phillips County Museum Anchors Community Memory and Resilience
Community

Historic Phillips County Museum Anchors Community Memory and Resilience

The Helena Museum of Phillips County traces its roots to Women’s Library Association displays in the late 1800s and was established as a museum organization by 1929. Its longstanding exhibits on the Battle of Helena, local commerce, river and flood history, and the region’s music heritage make it a central site for education, tourism and community resilience in Helena West Helena.

Lisa Park2m read