Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Dec. 31, 2024 – As 2024 draws to a close, we’re reflecting on this year and all the stories that have come out of it.
JRN launched at the beginning of April, and since then, we’ve covered breaking news, crime, local features, local politics and more. We passed one million page views in early August and will pass two million page views soon. Throughout all of that, we’ve continued to provide, free, local news to you, your family, and your friends. These were our biggest and most-read stories of 2024. We can’t wait to see you all in 2025!
In addition to each story’s headline, we’ve provided the first few paragraphs of each article below. A link to each story is also provided.
10. Doug Brimhall resigns Deputy Prosecutor position (published May 7):
Circuit Judge-Elect Doug Brimhall of Jonesboro resigned from his position as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney on Tuesday.
Sources tell JonesboroRightNow that Brimhall may face charges following an altercation this past weekend.
Second Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Sonia Hagood confirmed to JRN that Brimhall resigned from his position as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney on Tuesday. Hagood declined further comment.
READ FULL STORY HERE: Doug Brimhall resigns Deputy Prosecutor position – Jonesboro Right Now
9. Jonesboro Man Helps Pull 38 Distressed Dogs from Lake (published June 9):
What started out as a day of hopeful crappie fishing turned into an incredible dog rescue for a Jonesboro man, his friend and their fishing guide.
Bob Gist, a long-time State Farm Insurance agent from Jonesboro and his State Farm agent friend Brad Carlisle of Covington, TN decided on Friday they would meet up in Memphis Saturday and take a trip to Grenada, MS (175 miles South of Jonesboro) for a day of crappie fishing on Grenada Lake.
Gist and Carlisle met up with crappie fishing guide Jordan Chrestman of Tri-Lake Guide Service and began what they hoped would be a productive day of fishing.
The trio hadn’t been on the lake long when Gist said he noticed something in the water a short distance away. “What is that out in the water?” Gist said. “I think those are dogs!” Chrestman yelled.
READ FULL STORY HERE: Jonesboro Man Helps Pull 38 Distressed Dogs from Lake – Jonesboro Right Now
8. Blytheville doctor’s license suspended (published Oct. 17):
A Blytheville doctor’s license has been suspended following allegations of sexual contact with his staff.
The Arkansas State Medical Board suspended Dr. David Diffine, a Blytheville family medicine doctor, in an emergency order of suspension for allegedly violating the Medical Practices Act and Board Regulations.
According to the order, the Arkansas State Medical Board received a complaint, as well as security camera footage, from Diffine’s clinic July 17. The video shows Diffine engaging in sexual contact with staff members.
READ FULL STORY HERE: Blytheville doctor’s license suspended – Jonesboro Right Now
7. Harold Copenhaver reelected mayor: “It’s humbling from a community that I love so much” (published Dec. 3):
Mayor Harold Copenhaver has been reelected as Jonesboro mayor, winning by over 1,800 votes.
According to unofficial election results, Copenhaver received 60.41% of the vote, while challenger City Councilperson L.J. Bryant received 39.55%.
“It’s humbling from a community that I love so much. I must say it was a lot more stressful than I ever anticipated, but it’s well worth the outcome,” Copenhaver said. “The community has spoken and we’re doing the right things.”
READ FULL STORY HERE: Harold Copenhaver reelected mayor: “It’s humbling from a community that I love so much” – Jonesboro Right Now
6. McMasters Family responds to Grand Jury decision (published June 11):
A Craighead County grand jury decided this week not to indict former Bay police officer Christopher Shull in the pursuit death of Stephen Kyle McMasters in October of 2023.
According to Shull’s lawyer, Russell A. Wood of Wood Law Firm, Shull was “completely vindicated.”
READ FULL STORY HERE: McMasters Family responds to Grand Jury decision – Jonesboro Right Now
5. 7-year-old found walking alone in Craighead County (published April 3):
A 33-year-old Jonesboro woman was charged with two felonies Wednesday after letting a 7-year-old boy walk to school alone.
A Craighead County deputy was called to Craighead Road 457 on Tuesday after a man reported that a 7-year-old boy walked up to his farm shop.
The man said the boy told him he was walking to Valley View School because he missed the school bus that morning. The boy said he would get into trouble at home if he missed school.
Valley View Schools is more than 7 miles from Craighead Road 457.
READ FULL STORY HERE: 7 year old found walking alone in Craighead County – Jonesboro Right Now
4. Shots Fired At Judge’s Home, Search Underway (published Aug. 24):
UPDATE, 4:15pm: Poinsett County Sheriff Kevin Molder confirms his department has developed a “person of interest” in connection with Friday night’s shooting on Greenfield Road but says “an arrest has not been made yet. I will issue a release soon.”
UPDATE, 10:05am: The man responsible for threatening and shooting at District Judge Ron Hunter and several Poinsett County deputies Friday night is still at large. Poinsett County Sheriff Kevin Molder says “Tips are coming in. Nothing concrete yet, but some are promising.”
Previously: Police are searching an area just south of the Craighead/Poinsett County line for a man who fired shots at a district judge’s home Friday night.
READ FULL STORY HERE: UPDATE: Shots Fired At Judge’s Home, Search Underway – Jonesboro Right Now
3. Barricaded subject at Native Brew Works (published July 9):
According to several reports and JPD, there was a large police presence on Gee Street on Tuesday afternoon that ended in a man taking his own life.
A man reportedly entered Native Brew Works around 3pm and “caused a scene” after staff refused to serve him any alcohol.
JPD PIO Sally Smith told JRN that he then “brandished a weapon,” meaning, that he showed the firearm in his waistband to the staff.
READ FULL STORY HERE: UPDATE: Barricaded subject at Native Brew Works – Jonesboro Right Now
2. Rooster rocks Ridgepointe (published May 24):
The quiet neighborhood of Ridgepointe on the far west side of Jonesboro has recently experienced some home-grown drama, all stemming from a 6-foot-tall metal chicken.
READ FULL STORY HERE: Rooster rocks Ridgepointe – Jonesboro Right Now
1. C-130s Turn Bono Highway Into Runway (published Aug. 4):
The U.S. Air Force used a section of U.S. Highway 63 to land aircraft Sunday morning as part of its Emerald Warrior exercise conducted in Arkansas, Florida, Nevada, and Puerto Rico.
Officers with the Craighead County Sheriff’s Department, Arkansas State Police, Arkansas Highway Police and Bono Police Department diverted traffic on U.S. Highway 63 through Bono on Highway 63B beginning at midnight.
Before sunrise there were several night landings and takeoffs. “The night landings and takeoffs were using night vision equipment,” said Craighead County Sheriff Marty Boyd. “There were probably three landings and takeoffs before sunrise, and that plane was not a C130.” Boyd said he wasn’t sure what the plane used for night landings was.
READ FULL STORY HERE: C130s Turn Bono Highway Into Runway – Jonesboro Right Now