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After years of legal challenges between the City of Pine Bluff and Jefferson County over jail housing fees, the Arkansas Court of Appeals affirmed the lower court's decision in favor of the county.

Faulkner County Judge Allen Dodson argued during a March 4 Capitol Hill briefing during National Association of Counties' Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., that federal oversight and funding are necessary for supporting county governments before, during and after disasters.

A major problem at the current jail is overcrowding, Sheriff Jason Watson said, noting that the facility, constructed in 1985, is rated for 49 inmates, but has held as many as 60 at a time or as few as 35. Most of the time, though, he said the inmate count “is in the forties.” On Monday, he said the jail had 43 inmates, with six being held elsewhere. One prisoner was being held for another county due to safety concerns.

This program honors Arkansas families who have owned and farmed the same land for at least 100 years, recognizing their contributions to the state’s agricultural heritage.

Independent Stave is the largest spirit barrel producer in the world and is currently running two production shifts at the local facility. White oak, one of 160 tree species in the Natural State, is the wood of choice for making barrel staves.

The ribbon cutting for the new Craighead courthouse expansion took place Friday, March 7. The renovations include three new courtrooms, two of which have holding cells. There is also a new quorum court chamber that can function as another courtroom and as a storm shelter.

Farm Bill, PILT, SRS and more are included among NACo's federal policy priorities for this year.

The Arkansas Opioid Recovery Partnership (ARORP) has announced that they are expanding their Naloxone Hero Program to include city and county first responder agencies, as well as school systems that want to be able to provide naloxone to help prevent overdoses.

The original plan was to have the jail paid off by 2034. The county did not have to spend as much money as they thought on construction of the jail, and saved the county $2 million.