James Leigh | Stories

WATCH | Trojans recover, rout Bobcats 53-13 Following last week's crushing loss to Little Rock Parkview, Hot Springs came back in style with a 53-13 win over Hope at Tommy J. Holt Memorial Field at Joe C. Reese Stadium Friday night.The Troj... September 30, 2023

HS Mountain Drive, summit would close during shutdown Hot Springs Mountain Drive and West Mountain Summit Drive are expected to be closed to the public if Congress is unable to reach a consensus to keep the federal government open by 11:59 p.m. Saturday.... September 29, 2023

Sold out: Spa Running Festival is full 2 months before the event Two months before the largest running event in Hot Springs kicks off its 42nd year, the Spa Running Festival has sold out of entries. Started as just a 10-kilometer race in 1981, the annual event, whi... September 27, 2023

WATCH | Fundraising next: Library board approves $5m for remodel Fundraising for the remodeling project of the Garland County Library will begin soon after the library's board of trustees voted to put $5 million of the library's funds toward the project Mon... September 27, 2023

A blast: Spa-Con Season 7 a success, Visit Hot Springs says While formal attendance numbers will not be available for a few days, Visit Hot Springs Special Events Manager Alexis Hampo said Spa-Con Season 7 was a blast. "It seemed like a really, really good att... September 26, 2023

Grant gives GCL digital literacy funds Garland County Library patrons will have more options for digital literacy soon, thanks to a new grant the library received through Local Initiatives Support Corporation."They're a nonprofit ... September 26, 2023

WATCH | Trailblazer: Ozier makes no excuses on way to becoming Travelers’ first female GM Being the first female general manager of the Arkansas Travelers is not an easy job for 29-year-old Sophie Ozier, who was the guest speaker at last Wednesday's Hot Springs National Park Rotary mee... September 25, 2023

WATCH | ‘X-Files,’ The King of Fandom, Stunts 101 Spa-Con Season 7 kicks off Friday, and organizers are excited for this year's event."It's going to be a really exciting, special year," Alexis Hampo, Visit Hot Springs special events... September 21, 2023

WATCH | Pet surrenders, dumping on the rise, Animal Services says An incident that occurred Tuesday morning at Hot Springs Animal Services, 319 Davidson Drive, shed fresh light on a problem it is facing -- people surrendering and dumping pets.Director LeeAnn Zaner s... September 20, 2023

WATCH | Local pastors look to ‘Shine the Light’ on addiction With opioid-related deaths and overdoses on the rise across the state and country, two local pastors are looking to help remove the stigma regarding addiction through a pair of events on Friday, Sept.... September 19, 2023

WATCH | Battle of Central Arkansas: Cleanup includes state park, ONF After last year's successful cleanup event for National Public Lands Day, the Battle of Downtown Trash Clean-Up has expanded and been rebranded as the Battle of Central Arkansas.Started last year ... September 18, 2023

WATCH | Mills, Eagles avenge ‘22 loss with rout of Ramblers Homecoming was not a factor for Cutter Morning Star as the Eagles avenged last year's loss to Rose Bud with a 42-8 rout of the Ramblers at Eagle Stadium Friday night.The Eagles (2-1) held a 10-poi... September 16, 2023

WATCH | ‘We Bathe the World’: HSNP historian outlines oral history project Working conditions in bath houses that use thermal water from Hot Springs National Park have undergone significant changes throughout the last 150 years, Dan Chmill, an interpretive ranger for the nat... September 16, 2023

Levi Hospital to hold Mental Health Awareness Luncheon Levi Hospital will host a Mental Health Awareness Luncheon on Oct. 10 in honor of World Mental Health Day. With the cancellation of the annual Baron's Ball fundraiser, the hospital was looking for som... September 16, 2023

Longwoods to present tourism report Oct. 16 Visit Hot Springs is encouraging members of Hot Springs' hospitality industry and the public to attend an Oct. 16 meeting to hear a report on the city's tourism from Longwoods International, a... September 14, 2023

Local duck boat tour operator to comply with new USCG rule Ten of the 16 duck boats affected by a new interim rule issued by the U.S. Coast Guard on Monday are located in Hot Springs, and the rule will lead to a new look for the amphibious passenger vehicles.... September 13, 2023

WATCH | Remember, Give Thanks: Breakfast honors first responders on 9/11 anniversary Members of multiple emergency service organizations gathered at St. Mary of the Springs Catholic Church Monday morning for the Seventh Annual First Responders' Breakfast.Hosted by the Knights of C... September 12, 2023

Team USA claims gold at Pan American Bass Championship Team USA took seven of the top 11 spots at the 2023 Pan American Bass Championship on Lake Hamilton over the weekend to claim gold, and the event itself was a huge success, organizers said. "Everythin... September 12, 2023

Wreck injures three on West Mountain Three people were injured in a single-vehicle wreck on West Mountain Drive Saturday evening, according to emergency agencies at the scene. Hot Springs Police Department patrol units helped block part ... September 10, 2023

COVID-19 cases appear on rise in county, state While unable to objectively verify an increase in COVID-19 cases across the county, Garland County Health Officer Dr. Gene Shelby said Friday there seems to be anecdotal evidence of an increase in the... September 9, 2023

Weather delays first round of Pan American Severe weather impacted the start of the 2023 Pan American Bass Championship on Lake Hamilton Friday morning, but plans are for today's second round to continue as scheduled, tournament organizer ... September 9, 2023

WATCH | ‘Very humbling’: Browning represents home waters, USA in bass championship Teams from nine countries will be back on Lake Hamilton today for the first round of the Pan American Bass Championship.Hot Springs' own Stephen Browning said to be selected for Team USA is a grea... September 8, 2023

HSDFF announces Opening Night film With just under a month remaining until the opening of the 32nd Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, the Opening Night selection has been announced for the festival that runs Oct. 6-14. "Relentless ... September 7, 2023

WATCH | ‘First Family’: 3 generations of Martins to fish Pan Am Rarely does one see three generations of the same family competing in a major fishing tournament, but when it comes to the Martin family, nothing is a surprise anymore.Pan American Bass Championship o... September 7, 2023

WATCH | Pan American: Tournament ‘really excited to be here’ One of the biggest bass fishing tournaments to be held in Hot Springs kicks off this week as teams from around the world descend on Lake Hamilton for the 2023 Pan American Bass Championship."We&#... September 6, 2023

WATCH | Chapmond, former police chief, discusses new state position Chris Chapmond, the former Hot Springs police chief who is now director of the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training, told Hot Springs National Park Rotary Club last week that ... September 4, 2023

New roof is coming for Bank OZK Arena Bank OZK Arena will be getting a new roof soon after the Hot Springs Advertising and Promotion Commission recently approved a bid for $1.6 million to replace the 25-year-old roof. "We have signed a co... September 3, 2023

Prostate cancer cases trending ‘wrong way,’ foundation chief warns Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is underway, and according to the American Cancer Society, there has been an increase in the incidence rate over the past several years. "Since 2014, the incidence rate... September 2, 2023

WATCH | Southern Soiree: The Reserve to host annual fundraiser For the third year, The Reserve at Hot Springs will host a Southern Soiree to benefit Sunshine Therapeutic Riding Center.The event, set for 5:30 p.m. Sept. 28, funds about half the budget at the cente... September 2, 2023

Contreras carries Hot Springs past Arkadelphia Hot Springs quarterback Matt Contreras said the "next man" mentality hit him when placekicker Bryan Tolentino went down with an injury in the second quarter.Contreras stepped in for his team... September 2, 2023

Contreras steps up big for Trojans in win over Badgers Hot Springs quarterback Matt Contreras said the "next man" mentality hit him when placekicker Bryan Tolentino went down with an injury in the second quarter. Contreras stepped in for his teammate and ... August 31, 2023

Annual Labor Day fireworks display set for Sunday Fireworks will be lighting up the night sky this weekend for the annual free Labor Day display sponsored by Visit Hot Springs. Scheduled for Sunday, the show will start around 8:45 p.m., VHS CEO Steve... August 31, 2023

JazzFest returns this weekend Hot Springs JazzFest returns for the 31st year this weekend in its traditional home under the skybridge at 100 Broadway St., and the Hot Springs Jazz Society is excited about this year's event. "We ar... August 31, 2023

WATCH | Baseball Weekend: Annual celebration draws ‘amazing crowd’ to convention center Hot Springs Baseball Weekend was another big success, according to Visit Hot Springs CEO Steve Arrison."Every year Baseball Weekend increases and increases," he said. "This year was jus... August 30, 2023

WATCH | Architects: Library remodel could cost nearly $8.4 million A proposed remodel of the Garland County Library could cost nearly $8.4 million, architects with the Taylor Kempkes architectural firm told the library's board Monday afternoon.C. Anthony Taylor, ... August 29, 2023

WATCH | Harvest for Gold event planned for immunocompromised kids Since incorporating just over a year ago, the Savannah Walters Memorial Foundation has helped around 200 families, and it plans to continue that work with an event next month for children with cancer ... August 28, 2023

WATCH | Nationally-known artists highlight Spa-Con Season 7 Artist Pat Moriarity, who has made several appearances at Spa-Con, will be among the artists featured at the Spa-Con Season 7 comic and pop culture convention Sept. 22-24 at the Hot Springs Convention... August 27, 2023

Hidden Hot Springs tours return on Oct. 1 Tickets are available for the fourth iteration of Hidden Hot Springs, which benefits the Garland County Historical Society. The Oct. 1 event, which started in 2019, allows participants to take self-gu... August 27, 2023

WATCH | Jacobson goes ‘Back to the Future’ with HS National Park Rotary Club "Back to the Future" may not be what one expects to be the topic from the executive director of the Hot Springs Documentary Film Institute, yet the movie played a significant part in Ken Jac... August 24, 2023

WATCH | Hall of Famers highlight of Baseball Weekend Four MLB Hall of Fame players are part of the draw for the sixth annual Hot Springs Baseball Weekend, which starts Friday with a free screening of the documentary film "Fastball."The film, w... August 23, 2023

WATCH | Rivalry heats up as temps play a role in Rams, Wolves matchup on Friday Two high school football coaches who will face off for the first time Friday night were full of pleasantries at the Oaklawn Rotary Club meeting Monday at the Hamp Williams Building.Lake Hamilton head ... August 22, 2023

WATCH | Mr. Peepers: Towle closes doors after 50-plus years in optometry practice After over 40 years in its Central Avenue location, Dr. Wallace Towle has shut the doors of Mr. Peepers for good.Towle said his decision to retire came after a request from attorney Justin Minton to p... August 20, 2023

Vendors wanted for Bridge Street LIVE on Sept. 6 Vendor spots are available for the special Bridge Street LIVE event on Sept. 6 to welcome the Pan American Bass Fishing Championship to Hot Springs, Visit Hot Springs said this week. A total of 20 spo... August 19, 2023

WATCH | Toothapalooza set for Saturday with dino battle Toothapalooza returns to Mid-America Science Museum Saturday, once again featuring the giant toothbrush fight between Plaqueasaurus and Flossiraptor.The event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will ... August 16, 2023

WATCH | Home Run: Spa City shown in Babe Ruth memorial video On the 75th anniversary of the death of baseball great Babe Ruth, the YouTube channel Babe Ruth Baseball History released a video today that includes photos from Hot Springs.Ruth died on Aug. 16, 1948... August 16, 2023

Coffee Covers: Kay credits social media for rise in popularity Alexandra Kay may not be the most recognizable name in country music today, but the rising star, who will be performing with Cooper Alan at Magic Springs Theme and Water Park on Saturday, is well-know... August 13, 2023

WATCH | Past, present and future: Rotarians tour library’s bookmobile, learn about new offerings Members of Hot Springs National Park Rotary Club were given their first look inside Garland County Library's new bookmobile Wednesday afternoon following a presentation from the library's exec... August 10, 2023

WATCH | Junior PGA drives estimated $1.9 million into economy Last week's Junior PGA Championship at Hot Springs Country Club brought an estimated $1.9 million in economic benefit to Hot Springs and Garland County, Visit Hot Springs CEO Steve Arrison said.Th... August 9, 2023

WATCH | HS Animal Services to host vendor fair, pet adoption event Hot Springs Animal Services will host a vendor fair along with an adoption and microchipping event Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the John Seales Animal Services Center, 319 Davidson Drive."We... August 8, 2023

WATCH | GC Library director: ‘Really long fight’ likely over Act 372 Garland County Library Director Adam Webb says he was pleased to learn of the preliminary injunction against enforcement of parts of Act 372 issued by a federal judge last week, but acknowledges it is... August 5, 2023

Stories by James Leigh

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