Lance Brownfield

Family of missing man asks NAACP to intervene in case Nearly two weeks after Amir Ellis was declared missing by Hot Springs police, his family has contacted NAACP Unit 6013 in Hot Springs, "alleging discrimination in the handling of his disappearance," a... June 8, 2023

WATCH | A blessed life: Peake credits hard work for longevity in parking business Since 1963, Glen Peake and his family have been running a business parking cars near Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort.Operating on the lot outside of their home at 142 Henderson St. -- just a short walk f... June 5, 2023

WATCH | Pocket Theatre presents ‘Glass Menagerie’ The Pocket Community Theatre's latest production takes a turn toward the dramatic."We've been looking forward to doing this for quite a while now," said Steven Mitchell, director of ... June 3, 2023

WATCH | Elks Lodge to celebrate 125th anniversary milestone Not many service organizations have been around Hot Springs for over a century. In a city that's 172 years old, Elks Lodge 380 has had a presence here for 125 years now.The Elks will celebrate the... June 2, 2023

WATCH | Shakespeare in the Market returns Forsooth! Shakespeare is coming to Hot Springs.Well, the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre is, anyway. A special touring production of "The Complete Works of Shakespeare (abridged)" is coming to ... May 30, 2023

WATCH | Walk of Fame adds six influential names in civil rights, sports, aviation, music Six names were added to the Arkansas Walk of Fame this weekend, the most in recent years.Joining the roughly 100 people in the Walk of Fame were influential names in the fields of civil rights, wrestl... May 28, 2023

WATCH | DAV, Young Men of Distinction place flags The Disabled American Veterans James L. Whitby Chapter 5 has worked to place flags on every veteran's grave in several county cemeteries for four years now.Benny Arego, chapter commander and forme... May 27, 2023

WATCH | Walk of Fame to induct six honorees The Arkansas Walk of Fame is set to induct six notable Arkansans in ceremonies Friday and Saturday, making it one of the largest additions to the walk since its inception in 1996.The Class of 2023 inc... May 25, 2023

WATCH | Water safety: Think ahead; keep an eye on children when on the lake In the aftermath of two reported drownings on area waterways this past weekend, local agencies are strongly stressing the need for safety on the water over the upcoming three-day Memorial Day holiday ... May 24, 2023

WATCH | The story of Origami Sake set to unfold After two decades, Ben Bell's dream of making sake in Hot Springs is coming true.A graduate of the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, Bell first developed a passion for the J... May 22, 2023

WATCH | Fundraiser brings in more than $8K to help pay for facial surgeries A recent fundraiser raised around $8,000 to help fund facial surgeries for children and young adults with deformities or abnormalities, procedures that are done in Hot Springs by local surgeons.The Fa... May 18, 2023

WATCH | Influencers, part two: Todd, late to social media game, now has large following Editor's note: This is the second of a two-part series on social media influencers from Hot Springs.Hot Springs is often listed as a top retirement or vacation destination, but it's also home ... May 15, 2023

WATCH | Influencers, part one: Hot Springs natives making their mark through social media EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the first of a two-part series on social media influencers from Hot Springs.Gangsters, spring training and bath houses are just a few of the things that Hot Springs is famou... May 14, 2023

WATCH | Heavy rainfall leads to water rescues, road closures Heavy rainfall overnight and into the morning on Thursday resulted in water rescues in the north part of the county, widespread road closures, including Airport Road, and prompted the Northwoods Trail... May 12, 2023

WATCH | Blade’s blessings: Entertainer sponsors pantry boxes to help fight hunger A familiar face has partnered with Healing Outreach Ministry of Equality to help fight the local hunger problem.Maxwell Blade, the namesake of the Maxwell Blade Theatre of Magic & Comedy, helped t... May 11, 2023

WATCH | Habitat for Humanity dedicates county’s first two-story home After months of construction, the first two-story Garland County Habitat for Humanity home was completed and dedicated to its new owner Saturday morning.The home was part of the 2022 Heels to Hammers ... May 9, 2023

WATCH | Pine Bluff man arrested for alleged robbery at local bank A Pine Bluff man was arrested following an alleged robbery at a local bank after he was reportedly followed from the scene by a witness who then flagged down Hot Springs police and pointed him out.Dar... May 9, 2023

WATCH | Magic Springs opens today; Crystal Falls set for next weekend Magic Springs Theme and Water Park, which opens today, is holding a 45th birthday celebration this season."By next weekend you'll have not only the thrill rides, family rides and the kiddie r... May 6, 2023

Bud Light sales dry up at local stores As Bud Light continues to see a steep drop in national sales figures due to a recent transgender marketing controversy, some local vendors have noticed the effect of the boycott on their shelves.&quot... May 5, 2023

WATCH | Relay for Life hits goal with $10,000 check from Radius Thanks to a $10,000 donation from Radius Aerospace, Relay for Life of Garland County reached its $50,000 goal for 2023."We're highly appreciative of the generous donation from Radius," s... May 2, 2023

WATCH | ‘Just watering the plants’: Forecast won’t stop sale Despite a forecast of heavy rain, the Garland County Master Gardeners' annual Plant Sale and Garden Show will go on today as planned at the Garland County Fairgrounds, 4831 Malvern Ave.Opening at ... April 29, 2023

Emmy-nominated Fayetteville composer to perform at Arts & The Park festival This year's Arts & the Park has attracted artists and musicians from around the state with over a week of indoor, outdoor, in-person and virtual offerings.The 10-day festival kicks off with th... April 27, 2023

WATCH | Genealogical society challenged by dwindling interest After taking their usual two-month recess, members of the Melting Pot Genealogical Society, one of two organizations in the county that assist in research into the county's past, resumed their mon... April 23, 2023

WATCH | Haiku Day celebrated at gathering last weekend International Haiku Poetry Day was observed Monday, but nearly a dozen haiku enthusiasts from Arkansas and Louisiana gathered last Saturday to celebrate together a couple of days early at the Arlingto... April 23, 2023

WATCH | NPC adjusts to rise of artificial intelligence As artificial intelligence continues to advance and become more prevalent in society, educational institutions big and small have had to adjust and rethink the way they handle technology, including Na... April 22, 2023

WATCH | Sam Watt’s granddaughter recounts life, love for Hot Springs With nearly a century of Hot Springs experience, Rosalie Watt Harkins, granddaughter of iconic businessman Sam Watt, recently reflected on her 97 years in the Spa City.Harkins recently returned to Hot... April 21, 2023

Tinkerfest returns to Mid-America Saturday Tinkerfest will return for its seventh year at Mid-America Science Museum, 500 Mid-America Blvd., on Saturday.With over 25 interactive experiments, the one-day event allows attendees to explore concep... April 19, 2023

WATCH | VOV to align with 2024 solar eclipse The stars have aligned for Valley of the Vapors organizers -- literally -- as the 20th annual independent music festival will coincide with the solar eclipse of April 2024.Calling next year's even... April 16, 2023

WATCH | Cooper-Anthony celebrates 20 years The Cooper-Anthony Mercy Child Advocacy Center held its annual Child Abuse Awareness Rally and celebrated its 20th anniversary on Friday.The fundraising event also served to share the importance of it... April 15, 2023

WATCH | International Haiku Poetry Day event today The president of the Arkansas Haiku Society was going through a difficult time in 1993."I needed something to take my mind off of everything. I was looking for a safe harbor," Howard Kilby s... April 15, 2023

WATCH | ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ to debut at Pocket After 30 years of putting on plays for Hot Springs, the Pocket Community Theatre's next play will go wrong. But that's OK -- it's supposed to.Premiering tonight, "The Play That Goes W... April 14, 2023

WATCH | ‘Electric Cowboy’ Fryer stops in Hot Springs on his way to LA After spending a few nights in Hot Springs to recharge his batteries, Harry Fryer, aka the Electric Cowboy, has hit the road once again.After making the four-day trip to Texarkana, Fryer will continue... April 14, 2023

Sixth annual Arkansas Cherry Blossom Festival draws more than 2,000 The Arkansas Cherry Blossom Festival continues to bloom in the third year of its larger format, attracting 2,516 attendees on April 2 at Bank OZK Arena.Put together by volunteers with the Hot Springs ... April 11, 2023

Easter Sunday: St. John’s anticipates large crowds at services After finally recovering its numbers from the pandemic, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church eagerly awaits today's Easter celebration.Returning to pre-COVID numbers in the last several weeks, Fat... April 9, 2023

Arvest partners up with Project HOPE for Million Meals Continuing to fight hunger, Arvest Bank recently announced its 13th annual Million Meals campaign.Running through May 27, the program aims to provide at least 1 million meals through 84 locally select... April 8, 2023

‘Electric Cowboy’: E-bike rider to charge batteries in Hot Springs While many are familiar with the term "Electric Cowboy," thanks to a franchise of western-themed nightclubs, one man from Switzerland is recharging the phrase with his e-bike campaign.Harry ... April 7, 2023

50th anniversary ceremony to honor Vietnam veterans Just weeks before the 48th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, VFW Post 2278 and Hot Springs Elks Lodge No. 380 are partnering to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War at 2 p.m. Saturday ... April 6, 2023

WATCH | Old glories: Groups join together to properly retire worn American flags PEARCY -- Lake Hamilton's JROTC program hosted an American flag retirement ceremony Saturday, allowing people from the community to properly dispose of flags that were no longer fit to be flown or... April 4, 2023

WATCH | Souper Soup success: PACA one step closer to splash pad The Park Avenue Community Association has raised roughly $50,000, enough funds to purchase all the equipment for the proposed splash pad at David F. Watkins Memorial Park thanks to its recent Souper S... April 3, 2023

WATCH | U of A officials promote university at ASMSA Top officials from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville gave a presentation to Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts students last week promoting the opportunities offered at the ... April 3, 2023

WATCH | Local blind chess grandmaster to meet with GC Chess Club Local blind chess Grandmaster Dennis Cummings plans to make an appearance at today's Garland County Chess Club meeting at the Garland County Library.Cummings has enjoyed an accomplished chess care... April 2, 2023

Cherry Blossom performances lined up The sixth annual Arkansas Cherry Blossom Festival, now in its third year as a statewide event, gets underway Sunday in Hot Springs and organizers expect the largest crowd yet, with all seven of its wo... March 31, 2023

WATCH | Crystal Ridge celebrates anniversary, new lineup It's been a long journey for Crystal Ridge Distillery, 455 Broadway St., which celebrated its third anniversary on Saturday.The family-owned moonshine, whiskey, bourbon, vodka and cocktail distill... March 30, 2023

WATCH | Tikes, Trikes and Trails enjoys good weather, turnout Avoiding Friday's downpour, Tikes, Trikes, and Trails saw a good turnout Saturday according to Hannah Rice, Hot Springs Trails coordinator.Usually held in the fall at Entergy Park, it was the firs... March 27, 2023

WATCH | Workshops added to Cherry Blossom Festival The sixth annual Arkansas Cherry Blossom Festival is shaping up to be bigger than ever as the Hot Springs National Park Sister City Foundation, which hosts the event, expects the largest crowd yet sin... March 26, 2023

WATCH | Valley of the Vapors: Organizers eye changing dates The 19th annual Valley of the Vapors Independent Music Festival has come and gone on possibly the busiest weekend of the year for Hot Springs.Taking place March 17-19, the event was just another draw ... March 25, 2023

WATCH | Changes ahead: Building’s new owners will be ‘meticulous’ at selecting new tenants The sale of 829 Central Ave. marks the third downtown purchase by MyRedAnnie 32 LLC. in the past month and the seventh sale of the year for Amber Henson, owner/broker of Urban Living and Development, ... March 24, 2023

John’s Shoe Hospital takes its final steps After 115 years in business, John's Shoe Hospital is set to close in mid-June after the property at 828 Central Ave. was purchased by a local company.The shoe repair store was started in 1908 by J... March 23, 2023

WATCH | NPC purchases 30 emergency response bags National Park College's Health and Safety Team recently purchased 30 emergency response bags and supplies using a $2,500 grant from the Elisabeth D. Wagner Foundation.Part of a larger plan to purc... March 21, 2023

WATCH | Museum recognizes Autistic Awareness After a successful soft opening in February, Mid-America Science Museum is set to host its first official Sensory Day on Tuesday, April 4 in recognition of Autism Awareness Month.The event, funded by ... March 20, 2023

Stories by Lance Brownfield

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