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Phillips County, Arkansas

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About Phillips, AR

Local News
Complete local news coverage for Phillips County, Arkansas. Stay updated on local government, community events, business developments, and civic matters affecting residents of Helena-West Helena, Marvell, Elaine, Lake View, and surrounding Arkansas Delta communities.
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Helena-West Helena, Marvell, Elaine, Lake View and 695 square miles in eastern arkansas

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Newsroom monitoring local Phillips, AR developments. Next update cycle in 38 minutes.

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Helena Health Foundation funds scholarships for six PCCUA allied health majors
Education

Helena Health Foundation funds scholarships for six PCCUA allied health majors

Six Helena campus students won scholarships tied to nursing and phlebotomy training that can help fill Phillips County’s health workforce gaps.

Lisa Park2m read
Tri-County Fair Board keeps planning 2026 fair in Marvell
Community

Tri-County Fair Board keeps planning 2026 fair in Marvell

The Tri-County Fair Board has locked in May 26-30 at Marvell’s Tri County Fairgrounds, shifting the event out of its old late-summer slot. A demolition derby will cap the five-day run.

Sarah Chen1m read
Marvell Academy junior high girls finish runner-up at District 1A meet
Education

Marvell Academy junior high girls finish runner-up at District 1A meet

Kemmer, Bartlett and Marvell Academy’s relay depth powered a runner-up finish at District 1A in Clarksdale, a strong spring showing for the Phillips County school.

Sarah Chen2m read
Pregnant woman, girl wounded in Helena shooting, police seek suspect
Government

Pregnant woman, girl wounded in Helena shooting, police seek suspect

A pregnant woman and a girl were shot at 501 Elm Street, and police said one suspect, Darron Williams, was armed and dangerous.

Marcus Williams2m read
Marvell Academy posts mixed results in preseason jamboree action
Education

Marvell Academy posts mixed results in preseason jamboree action

A loss and a tie in jamboree play gave Marvell Academy an early look at execution, depth and timing before the season starts to count.

Lisa Park2m read
James Bryant brings tornado safety lessons to Marvell Academy
Education

James Bryant brings tornado safety lessons to Marvell Academy

James Bryant told Marvell Academy students to have a tornado plan, as Arkansas logged 60 twisters in 2025 and schools drill three times a year.

Sarah Chen2m read
Helena-West Helena water crisis continues, repairs may exceed $100 million
Government

Helena-West Helena water crisis continues, repairs may exceed $100 million

Three wells are still running at limited capacity, while more than half the treated water is lost to leaks and repairs could top $100 million.

Marcus Williams2m read
Besancon says Bears must master fundamentals in new era
Education

Besancon says Bears must master fundamentals in new era

Joe Besancon arrived from Hazen with 18 seasons and a 2022 title, as Barton tried to turn a 9-12 two-year stretch into something sturdier.

Lisa Park2m read
Federal judge dismisses Franklin civil rights case over removal from office
Government

Federal judge dismisses Franklin civil rights case over removal from office

Franklin’s federal challenge was tossed, leaving his removal from Helena-West Helena intact for now and keeping the city’s leadership fight in the courts.

Marcus Williams2m read
AAA bars five Barton players from title game after melee
Education

AAA bars five Barton players from title game after melee

Five Barton players were ruled out of the title game after a court-rushing melee at Poyen High School, putting Phillips County’s championship hope in jeopardy.

Marcus Williams2m 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
State Scrutiny of Marvell-Elaine Schools Raises Community Equity Concerns
Education

State Scrutiny of Marvell-Elaine Schools Raises Community Equity Concerns

The small Marvell-Elaine School District, which serves PreK–12 students in Marvell and Elaine, has drawn state attention for low enrollment and academic performance, a status that could trigger interventions under Arkansas’s LEARNS Act. Any state action or restructuring could reshape access to school-based health services, nutrition programs, and community gathering spaces that are vital to Phillips County’s social and economic fabric.

Lisa Park2m read
Elaine 1919 Massacre: Phillips County Reckons with Red Summer Violence
Community

Elaine 1919 Massacre: Phillips County Reckons with Red Summer Violence

Large-scale killings, arrests and detentions followed a meeting of Black sharecroppers in Elaine in 1919, a violent episode that shaped Phillips County's social and economic landscape.

Sarah Chen2m 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
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
Historic sites anchor community identity and tourism in Phillips County
Community

Historic sites anchor community identity and tourism in Phillips County

Phillips County's Freedom Park, Pillow Thompson House and Elaine memorials preserve complex history and support education, tourism, and community healing.

Lisa Park2m 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
Barton Lexa School District Anchors Education and Community in Phillips County
Education

Barton Lexa School District Anchors Education and Community in Phillips County

The Barton Lexa School District serves northern Phillips County, operating Barton Elementary for preK to 6 and Barton High School for grades 7 to 12, and acts as a central hub for schooling, athletics and local workforce development. Its role matters because the district sustains daily services and community identity for the towns of Barton, Lexa and Lake View, and because changes in enrollment and funding shape local schools and the county economy.

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
Institutional Investors Control Tens of Thousands of Acres in Phillips County
Community

Institutional Investors Control Tens of Thousands of Acres in Phillips County

Large institutional investors led by TIAA and its farmland management arm Nuveen Natural Capital own tens of thousands of acres in Phillips County, lands that are routinely operated day to day by tenant farmers and third party crop managers. Local residents and community groups have raised concerns about pesticide spray drift, water quality, chronic health issues, and the loss of local land control, and they have organized town halls and published demands for reduced pesticide use, expanded local control, and reparative investment.

Marcus Williams2m 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
Lake View Chiefs Win Relays, Qualify for Area at District Championships
Education

Lake View Chiefs Win Relays, Qualify for Area at District Championships

Kentrell Johnson swept three gold medals at districts and anchored two relay wins, as Lake View qualified for the area meet with 91 points in a field led by Lubbock-Cooper Liberty's 208.

Sarah Chen2m read
Eight Arrested in Phillips County Over 2024 Justice of the Peace Election Fraud
Government

Eight Arrested in Phillips County Over 2024 Justice of the Peace Election Fraud

Lita Moore Johnson, who won the 2024 JP District 9 runoff, faces felony charges after allegedly directing voters to falsify registration addresses — 7 others also arrested.

Ellie Harper2m read
Digitized Sanborn maps bolster Helena redevelopment and preservation work
Community

Digitized Sanborn maps bolster Helena redevelopment and preservation work

The Library of Congress digitized Sanborn maps for Helena and Phillips County provide detailed historic building and infrastructure data useful for local planning.

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
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
Gov. Sanders Names Helena-West Helena Distillery Owner as March Face of Arkansas
Business

Gov. Sanders Names Helena-West Helena Distillery Owner as March Face of Arkansas

Helena-West Helena operations manager Donavan Williams is Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ March “Face of Arkansas,” with his portrait to hang in the State Capitol and Delta Dirt’s farm-to-bottle story center stage.

Sarah Chen3m read
Phillips County Courthouse, Century of Service Shapes Local Governance
Government

Phillips County Courthouse, Century of Service Shapes Local Governance

The Phillips County Courthouse at 622 Cherry Street in Helena has served as the county courthouse since its completion in 1915, and its Classical Revival architecture and historical role continue to shape local civic life. Its listing on the National Register of Historic Places and its association with the trials after the Elaine Massacre make the building a focal point for preservation, public memory, and institutional accountability.

Marcus Williams2m read
PCCUA expands workforce training across Helena and Delta region
Education

PCCUA expands workforce training across Helena and Delta region

Phillips Community College trains local residents for in-demand jobs in health care, trades, transportation and cybersecurity. Its Helena campus and partner sites offer programs and services that support local employers and workforce reentry.

Sarah Chen2m read