Grace Brown | Stories

Sunshine Therapeutic Riding Center For Swiss native Katja Summerlin, being around horses comes second nature. Growing up just down the road from a therapeutic riding center that served children with extra challenges in life, it was onl... April 18, 2021

Raising Awareness April is Child Abuse Awareness Month. Last year alone, more than 750 children walked through the door of the Cooper Anthony Child Advocacy Center with allegations they had been abused. When the Coope... April 18, 2021

Leading by Example Growing up in Hot Springs allowed I'Nita White to foster a strong sense of volunteerism at a young age. As the years passed, she saw herself grow from mentee to mentor, taking on leadership roles and ... March 28, 2021

Beyond the Call of Duty As patrol sergeant for the Hot Springs Police Department, much of LeeAnn Zaner's day is spent interacting with and helping the citizens of Hot Springs. Over the years, Zaner began to notice different ... March 28, 2021

Officials preview new firing range that will cater to tourists, locals Supporters of Tanya and Jason Spavins' vision for a centrally located gun range gathered on Sunday to preview their vision come to life at the new Machine Gun Grotto, 325 Olive St., connected to the M... March 27, 2021

UPDATE: Driver identified in fatal four-vehicle 'chain reaction' wreck UPDATE The driver of a 2009 Mercury Marquis who was killed Monday in a four-vehicle wreck on Thornton Ferry Road has been identified as Leslie Ann Roberts, 32, of Hot Springs, according to an Arkansa... March 16, 2021

WATCH: Local nurse braves cold to hike to work in snow While many people in Hot Springs may have spent the past week shuttered indoors to avoid the unusually thick blanket of snow and subzero temperatures, health care workers continued to get the job done... February 21, 2021

Feeding programs press on despite the weather Some social service programs that provide help for the homeless and working poor were suspended Monday until weather conditions improve. However, leaders from area programs say they plan to continue ... February 16, 2021

Barbara Bulfone Barbara Bulfone, 76, of Hot Springs, died Feb. 13, 2021. Arrangements are pending and will be announced by Caruth-Hale Funeral Home. February 15, 2021

Mildred Patrick Mildred Patrick, age 88, of Hot Springs, passed away peacefully Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, to be reunited with her husband, Gene Patrick that passed away 18 years ago on July 5, 2003. She was born on June... February 15, 2021

Mildred Giompoletti PEARCY -- Mildred Giompoletti, 91, of Pearcy, died Feb. 13, 2021. Arrangements will be announced by Davis-Smith Funeral Home in Hot Springs. February 15, 2021

Jeremy Sherman ARKADELPHIA -- Jeremy Sherman, 27, of Arkadelphia, died Feb. 9, 2021. Sherman is survived by his Fiance, Hayley James: Grandmother, Linda Bragg: Daughter, Michelle Sherman: Four Siblings: and Fathers,... February 15, 2021

Monica N. Hobson Monica, "Pig", Nichole Hobson, 47, of Hot Springs, died Feb. 11, 2021. Arrangements are by Hot Springs Funeral Home. Online condolences are at www.hotspringsfh.com. February 15, 2021

Mental health matters In this day and age, mental health is paramount. People now understand and often empathize with the strain daily life puts on an individual's mental state. While it becomes more acceptable to be open ... January 15, 2021

A feat of filmmaking The story of Helen Spence is one of few histories in existence detailing the culture of the "river people" who lived in houseboats floating on rivers across Arkansas. Until recent years, her story rem... January 15, 2021

Chen remembered for going 'extra mile' Friends and family are mourning the sudden, unexpected loss of Shunying Chen, former owner and operator of Shanghai Restaurant and wife of internationally acclaimed artist Longhua Xu. Chen's nickname... December 11, 2020

Patricia Robirts Patricia Robirts, age 75, of Hot Springs, Ark., passed away on Nov. 27, 2020. Guest registry at http://www.carriganmemorial.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Carrigan Memorial Funeral Services. ... November 30, 2020

Vergie Washington-Brewer Vergie Washington-Brewer, age 79, of Hot Springs, Ark., passed away on Nov. 25, 2020. Guest registry at http://www.carriganmemorial.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Carrigan Memorial Funeral Service... November 30, 2020

William W. Allen William Walter "Bill" Allen passed away Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, in Hot Springs at the age of 88. He was born November 4, 1932, the son of William Walter and Elizabeth Allen. Bill was a graduate of Bism... November 30, 2020

Loren L. Furnas Visitation for Loren Lee Furnas, who passed away Nov. 24, 2020, will be 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. today at Caruth-Hale Life Celebration Center, 2529 Airport Road. Service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Caruth-Hale ... November 30, 2020

A Service to Others The romanticized version of a firefighter often depicts muscular, shirtless men carrying damsels in distress out of burning buildings. While the Hot Springs Fire Department requires all of their firef... November 15, 2020

Little Rock FBI, other agencies work to ensure 'safe elections' The Federal Bureau of Investigation is dedicated to "ensuring that these are going to be safe elections," including investigating complaints of voter suppression or voter intimidation, an agency offic... November 2, 2020

Long-time assistant children's librarian retires After working at the Garland County Library for 23 years, Assistant Children's Librarian Kasey McKinney became a familiar face to many families who took part in the programs offered through the librar... November 2, 2020

Local young adult librarian wins statewide Ann Lightsey award Brittany Anne Chavez, young adult librarian at the Garland County Library, received the Ann Lightsey Children's Librarian Award from the Arkansas Library Association during its virtual conference on F... October 19, 2020

WATCH: Realtor unveils Perry Plaza restoration plans A local Realtor's "passion project" to restore a historic, vacant court motel once left to decay on the corner of Park Avenue and Bloom Street will be open to the public for a pre-restoration viewing ... October 18, 2020

Food for Thought continues growth The Giving Team, a local nonprofit organization, has worked tirelessly since last month's inaugural Food for Thought event in Hot Springs to make this month's event even larger. The organization plans... August 29, 2020

Downtown shops prepare for flooding From sandbags to sealing sprays, downtown businesses prepared for heavy rains and potential flooding Wednesday as the Category 4 Hurricane Laura approached the U.S. coastline. "We are obviously using... August 27, 2020

Firefighters combat overheating August in Hot Springs National Park may not be rivaling Death Valley's 130 degrees this summer, but that doesn't mean a lack of heat and humidity. For firefighters, including those with the Hot Spring... August 18, 2020

Loving Fiercely There is no doubt that women have a huge impact on society today, especially as mothers. This month, HER Magazine had a chance to speak with the women of the Nicholson family. George Ann and her two d... August 15, 2020

Bud Smedley Bud Smedley died on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, after a long battle with Alzheimer's. Bud was born in 1937, in West Virginia, the youngest child of Joe G. Smedley and Gladys Trell Stevens Smedley. He is p... August 10, 2020

Hot Springs church takes 'middle of the road' approach to worship during pandemic While COVID-19 still limits many activities, including congregating in places of worship, one local pastor said his church is taking a "middle of the road" approach when it comes to leading worship du... August 5, 2020

Brief standoff at hotel ends peacefully The fifth floor of SunBay Resort on Lake Hamilton was evacuated Sunday during a brief standoff between an unidentified suspect and Hot Springs police. According to Officer 1st Class Omar Cervantes, c... August 3, 2020

New monthly event helps fill gaps in services for underserved Pandemic shutdowns across the nation have in some cases prevented churches and nonprofit organizations from fully rolling out relief efforts for the homeless, but one local nonprofit is hoping to step... July 28, 2020

Neowise visible in Garland County sky Stargazers have been watching Garland County skies for the comet Neowise. According to The Associated Press, the comet is expected to be visible from earth most of the rest of the month before contin... July 20, 2020

A Lasting Legacy For anyone familiar with the local art scene, the name Dorothy Morris most likely sounds familiar. Although she is not an artist herself, Morris has poured her support into several artistic ventures, ... July 15, 2020

WATCH: 'Little Season' arrives Hot Springs Debutantes practiced a waltz in the Crystal Ballroom at the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa on Sunday. The practice is part of the "Little Season" of parties and events honoring the 22 yo... July 14, 2020

The show will still go on, next year, at Pocket Theatre In light of the developments surrounding a surge of COVID-19 cases in Arkansas, the board of the nonprofit Pocket Community Theatre recently decided to reschedule the remaining shows of its 2020 seaso... July 14, 2020

GC Library joins state consortium In an effort to provide superior digital access to its patrons, the Garland County Library will join the Arkansas Digital Library Consortium at the beginning of July, expanding the number of digital t... June 28, 2020

FBI offers free course on federal civil rights As the primary federal agency responsible for investigating allegations regarding federal civil rights violations, agents with the FBI in Little Rock want to work more closely with communities to "pre... June 24, 2020

How Arkansas Grown Fruits and Vegetables Can Provide a Taste of the Mediterranean The word "diet" is a four-letter word, but that does not mean it is a bad word. If you look at the definition of diet, the first part is "the kinds of food that a person, animal, or community habitual... June 15, 2020

The Thing That Stays the Same You may be familiar with the lyrics of a country song by Tracy Lawrence that declares, "The only thing that stays the same is everything changes, everything changes." This sentiment is true in all are... June 15, 2020

Caring for the Community It does not matter which page of the calendar you turn to, the Eleanor Klugh Jackson House continuously serves the community, even in the midst of a pandemic. At the helm of this vital nonprofit is no... June 15, 2020

Healthcare Worker Appreciation Medical professionals are working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. To show their appreciation and support of the CNAs, LPNs, RNs, doctors, and everyone working at CHI St. Vincent Hot Sprin... June 15, 2020

Library promotes virtual programming, summer reading Despite limitations placed on the Garland County Library's day-to-day operations, librarians are still encouraging patrons to take advantage of the virtual programming it offers and to join the summer... June 14, 2020

Local church sets Juneteenth celebration for Sunday For the African American community, June 19, or Juneteenth, holds special significance as a day of freedom and independence. Restrictions on large gatherings brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic wi... June 13, 2020

Pocket Theatre still hopes to stage plays later this year With some local artists and venues struggling to stay afloat financially in the midst of the ongoing pandemic, the local community theater remains optimistic the show will go on, eventually. "I'm not ... June 10, 2020

Shop owner commissions unity mural A local business owner has used her downtown storefront windows to spread messages of hope to the community since the holiday season last year, and now has commissioned a new piece focused on the pand... June 9, 2020

Clergy, educators join local protest Local clergy and educators joined in the ongoing protests at Hill Wheatley Plaza Tuesday as part of the national demonstrations against police brutality that erupted following the death of George Floy... June 3, 2020

WATCH: 50-70 carry out peaceful protest Sunday From 50-70 people gathered in downtown Hot Springs on Sunday to protest police brutality against black people in other areas of the country, a peaceful demonstration that lasted from early morning unt... June 1, 2020

WATCH: Traveling exhibit hall opens with 'Bionic Me' "Bionic Me," the inaugural exhibit in Mid-America Science Museum's recently completed traveling exhibit hall, opens to the public today, the first to be hosted in the expansion that city voters author... May 23, 2020

Stories by Grace Brown

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