University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences along with state and local leaders will gather here today for the official grand opening of the Delta Area Health Education Center and Vasudevan Wellness Center. The Event is scheduled to begin with a tour of the facility beginning at 3:30. The ceremonies will begin at 5 p.m.

East Arkansas farmers who want to diversity in an area where soybeans, cotton and race have long been the primary crops may look forward to a sweet-potato storage and distribution facility that is planned for Phillips County.

Southern Financial Partners of Arkadelphia will receive $750,000 in loan funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Intermediary Relending Program.

The money is part of nearly $5.7 million in revolving loan funds that the USDA is investing in nine business development organizations across the United States.

A $950,000 pilot program that would aid eligible grandparents in four Delta and Ozark counties who are the sole caretakers of at least one grandchild passed in a state legislative subcommittee Wednesday.

Bunky Butler and Charlie Craig have never let a sticking point gouge their long-standing friendship. Both were more themselves Friday afternoon as they shared a sense of optimism that Friars Point can prove to Southern Bancorp’s satisfaction that its branch bank should remain open.

At a public meeting requested by the Concerned Citizens of Friars Point under the direction of the Federal Deposit Insurance corp., the president /CEO of Southern Bancorp has given Friars Point six months to achieve a satisfactory financial portfolio in order to save its Delta Southern branch bank.

Closing Delta Southern’s branch bank in Friars Point appears to be a done deal, but in doing so DSB may not be living up
to its mission.

Southern Bancorp, the parent organization of Delta Southern, formed a partnership to “bring economic opportunity to
those who need it most.”

A day after unanimously passing a 2 percent hotel and restaurant tax, and ordinances calling for a special election on two 1 percent sales-tax proposals, members of the Helena-West Helena City Council were gearing up Wednesday to convince voters that the new revenue is needed to move their new city forward.

A newly minted highway sign will be unveiled today on U.S. 49 at the Arkansas Delta’s eastern edge, revealing the name “Helena-West Helena” and signaling a new start for a community beset by political infighting and saddled with a lifeless economy.

The Tourism, Recreation and Quality of Life Committee met Monday night at the Delta Cultural Center Museum to discus the future of tourism, economic development and preserving the past.