Good morning, Jonesboro.

La Casa De La Fiesta in Bono reopened Monday after a kitchen fire forced its closure over a year ago and required a complete rebuild of the kitchen and dining area.

Owners and longtime customers say local support helped the restaurant get back on its feet.

Gas prices in Jonesboro reached $2.99 on Monday (a 32-cent increase from last week) as the national average climbed from $2.99 to $3.47 today.

Arkansas State University’s Department of Communication Disorders established the ALLIANCE Lab (Applied Literacy Learning through Innovation, Collaboration and Evidence) to improve early dyslexia intervention and literacy research, expanding a 20-year program that supports school-age children in Northeast Arkansas.

The Arkansas State Police urge residents to plan for a sober ride ahead of Tuesday, March 17 St. Patrick’s Day festivities in Jonesboro to avoid impaired driving risks (recent data shows 38% of holiday traffic fatalities involved alcohol).

Local gardening experts advise homeowners to plant hardy perennials this season to brighten gardens in Zone 7b (areas bordering Zone 8a in Craighead County).

Popular choices include coreopsis, Russian sage, hellebore, baptisia and coneflowers, known for thriving in warm summers and mild winters.

Arkansas State women’s basketball, with a 24-9 record, fell to Troy in the SBC semifinals — the game held in Pensacola — and is now pursuing a postseason bid in either the WBIT or WNIT.

The Razorbacks won an 88-84 overtime game at Mizzou without Darius Acuff and Westerman and Kristensen noted the high-stakes matchup taught the team valuable lessons for upcoming contests.

Honk! Jr

2-3 p.m. — The Foundation of Arts- Forum Theater — Tickets available — Enjoy the delightful family musical based on the Ugly Duckling.

Honk! Jr

2-3 p.m. — The Foundation of Arts- Forum Theater — Tickets available — Experience the fun and whimsy of Honk! Jr, a delightful performance for all ages.