Good morning, Jonesboro.

The annual Umarex Big Squirrel Challenge will run Jan.

9-10 with a weigh-in station in Jonesboro at Forrest L. Wood Crowley's Ridge Nature Center; participants can win door prizes & high-powered Umarex air rifles by weighing their squirrels.

Lazzari Italian Oven closed its doors after 30 years at its South Caraway Road spot, as announced via Facebook on Friday, Jan.

2. The restaurant served Italian dishes to local families for decades.

Lazzari Italian Oven announced on Facebook Friday that it will permanently close its Jonesboro location at 2230 S.

Caraway Road after serving the community since 1995—making it the second local Italian restaurant to close recently, following Pastaria49 on Dec. 20.

ASPSF is accepting applications for spring 2026 scholarships for single parents with a Feb.

1 deadline. The fund, which awarded 129 scholarships in Craighead County last year, supports students pursuing an associate's, bachelor's, or professional certificate (awards range from $400 to $1,600).

Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund is accepting applications for Spring 2026.

Eligible single parents pursuing an associate degree, bachelor’s degree or professional certificate must apply online by Feb. 1 (scholarships range from $400 to $1,600 and include support for essential expenses).

The Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund opened Spring 2026 applications on Friday, Jan.

2, to help single parents cover costs (childcare, rent, gas and car repairs) while they pursue education.

The Jonesboro Sanitation Department collected over 264 tons of trash and 1,000 tires in 2025 from neighborhood cleanup and Code Enforcement efforts + removing bulky items from roads.

It will host six major neighborhood cleanups and monthly activities in 2026 to keep the community clear.

Federal subsidies that helped lower ACA plan costs expired Dec.

31, causing Arkansas premiums to rise about 69 percent. Lawmakers may still act later to ease the increases (KFF reports).

Xavie Elise Chapman became the first baby born in 2026 at St. Bernards Medical Center on Jan.

1 (12:19 p.m.), weighing 7 lbs, 6 oz and measuring 20 inches long, while big sister Harper welcomed the new addition to the Chapman family.

Two transfer offensive linemen and a transfer defensive back will visit Arkansas football facilities in the coming days (recruiting officials confirmed) to learn more about the program.