Saline River Chronicle

A major snow storm, new school constructions, and successful vaccine rollout-Here are the biggest Warren and Bradley County headlines of 2021

As 2021 comes to a close, let’s take a look back at the biggest local stories of the year on Saline River Chronicle. From the local successes of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, the semifinalist Warren Lumberjack Football team, and the ground breaking on Warrren’s new school and basketball arena, to the tragedies of homes damaged in fires, shootings around the community, and water-line issues due to a severe winter storm, 2021 headlines were packed.

Here are the top local Warren and Bradley County headlines of 2021 on Saline River Chronicle:

January

  • Jhamari Mehki Davis was the first baby born at the Bradley County Medical Center in the new year, January 3, 2021
  • Twenty-one Warren Fire Fighters responded to a house fire January 5 on Myrtle Street in Warren. The home was a total loss.
  • Local school staff begin receiving COVID-19 vaccines
  • Warren Schools releases first virtual look at new Elementary School and Gym

February

  • Warren City Council approves shooting range expansion
  • Warren School District residents vote 347-113 to increase the local millage from 36.5 to 41.5 mills in order to build a new elementary school and multi-purpose basketball arena
  • A major winter storm hits Bradley County and South Arkansas February 15. Local life essentially shuts down due to the historic snowfall.
  • Warren water crews worked to stop four separate water line breaks due to winter weather.

March

  • Banks receives $75,000 grant to build new fire station
  • Warren Police arrest two suspects wanted in connection with a shooting at the Alon gas station on Martin Street
  • Attorney General announces arrest of Warren Fire Chief for misuse of Court Reporters Association funds
  • Governor Hutchinson lifts the state-wide mask mandate

April

  • Warren’s Emergency Services Center gets a new 911 system
  • A round of storms brings damage to Warren homes and the School in Hermitage
  • A shooting was reported at the Martin Street car wash April 17. Charles E. Lawson Jr. (32) of Warren, Arkansas was later arrested in connection with the crime
  • Firemen respond to a vehicle fire in Warren

May

  • Repair work begins on Courthouse tower
  • Jacob and Jamie Courtney named the Bradley County Farm Family of the Year
  • County Judge say County will pursue those stealing road signs
  • Steven R. Rice and Ashley Williams arrested and charged in reference to recent break-in at the Bradley County Park

June

  • Around 200 riders take part in the 3rd Tour de Tomato bike event
  • The Lisemby Family performs at the Lions Club Fundraiser Gospel Jamboree
  • Bradley County leads State in COVID vaccination rate
  • Warren 14U and 10U Baseball teams win State Championship

July

  • First local Farmer’s Market comes to Warren’s Main Street July 10
  • New mural completed on South Myrtle Street
  • Quorum Court votes to eliminate commercial garbage collection in the County
  • Dilan Ujene Estes arrested for 2020 murder of Crissy Hayes Jacks in Banks

August

  • Bloomberg news takes notice of Bradley County’s higher than average vaccination rate
  • Three people killed in car accident near the Saline River
  • Bradley County first Arkansas county to report over 50 percent of eligible population vaccinated
  • Saline River Chronicle launches update version of website

September

  • Ericca Corker named Hermitage 2021 Homecoming Queen
  • Historic first out-of-state football game ends in big win for Warren
  • La Salle informs Quorum Court that new private prison will not work financially. BCEDC urges Bradley County to take out 34 million dollar bond to open prison instead
  • Emergency situation declared in Calhoun County as pipeline ruptures west of Hampton

October

  • Warren Fire Department fights fire on Sturgis Street
  • Semi crash damages light pole, knocking out power in half of Warren
  • Warren man killed in shooting at local car wash, Antario Gilbert charged with Capital Murder in the death of Shaun Ingram
  • Keller Bigham crowed 2021 Warren Homecoming Queen

November

  • Former Mayor of Warren John B. Frazer, Jr. passes away
  • Warren School District breaks ground on new school and new arena constructions
  • Warren School Board lifts mask mandate

December

  • Another successful Lumberjack Football season comes to an end at the 4A State semifinal stage
  • UAPB Band appears at Hermitage Christmas Parade
  • Lumberjack alum Treylon Burks declares for the NFL Draft

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