Phillips County, AR Breaking News Headlines Today

News about Phillips County, Arkansas

Stay current with all the latest and breaking news about Phillips County, Arkansas, compare headlines and perspectives between news sources on stories happening today. In total, 12 stories have been published about Phillips County, Arkansas which Ground News has aggregated in the past 3 months.

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Former Helena-West Helena mayor’s appeal of dismissal stays on track for Arkansas Supreme Court hearing | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

100% Right coverage: 1 sources

The Arkansas Supreme Court on Thursday denied the state attorney general's motion to dismiss former Helena-West Helena Mayor Christopher Franklin's appeal of his court-ordered removal from office earlier this summer.Helena-West Helena · Helena-West Helena Read Article

Helena-West Helena mayor expects swift deployment of $24.2M in water infrastructure loans | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

100% Right coverage: 1 sources

Millions of dollars in state loans to fix Helena-West Helena's aging, leak-prone water system, which have been sitting in limbo since for the past three months, will be finalized and deployed "as soon as possible," said the city's Mayor Joseph Whitfield.Helena-West Helena · Helena-West Helena Read Article

Helena-West Helena man to life for Prom night murder

100% Center coverage: 1 sources

On Friday, October 3, 2025, a Phillips County jury found Donterious Stephens, 21, of Helena-West Helena, guilty of First-Degree Murder and sentenced him to life in prison, plus 15 years for a firearm enhancement.The conviction follows an investigation conducted by the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division (CID) and the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators identified Stephens as the suspect in the April 20, 2024, shooti…Helena-West Helena · Helena-West Helena See the Story

New Mayor Appointed in Helena-West After Old Mayor Ousted over His Taxes

67% Left coverage: 3 sources

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has appointed Joseph Whitfield as the new Mayor of Helena-West Helena following the arrest and removal of the former mayor, Christopher Franklin, for allegedly failing to pay his taxes. Governor Sanders said Whitfield, who is a native of Helena and the executive director for both Delta Magic and the Phillips Chamber of Commerce, will serve the remainder of this mayoral term and is eligible to run…Taxes · Helena-West Helena See the Story

Former Helena-West Helena Mayor pleads not guilty to felony tax charges | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

100% Right coverage: 1 sources

HELENA-WEST HELENA -- Former mayor of Helena-West Helena Christopher Franklin appeared in the Phillips County Courthouse Monday morning without an attorney and pleaded "not guilty" to four felony charges of failure to pay or file a tax return.Helena-West Helena · Helena-West Helena Read Article

Helena-West Helena mayor vacancy causing funding issues | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

100% Right coverage: 1 sources

The removal of Helena-West Helena's mayor in July has hampered efforts to repair the city's aging water infrastructure, according to local officials. The city is hesitant to close on millions in water infrastructure loan funding until Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders appoints a new officeholder to the mayor's office.Helena-West Helena · Helena-West Helena Read Article

Panel votes to keep Helena-West Helena officer’s certification, says pepper spraying wasn’t malicious | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

100% Right coverage: 1 sources

A state policing standards committee decided Wednesday not to revoke a fired Helena-West Helena police officer's certification, judging that while he violated policy during a 2023 arrest in which he pepper sprayed a handcuffed suspect, his actions were not malicious like those of three officers decertified in July for their involvement in the same incident.Helena-West Helena · Helena-West Helena Read Article

Family reflects on death of Arkansas man killed inside home while his children slept nearby

100% Center coverage: 1 sources

A father was shot and killed inside his Helena-West Helena home while his children slept just feet away. The family identified him as 25-year-old Bryceson McClinton.Helena-West Helena · Helena-West Helena Read Article

Helena-West Helena man pleads guilty in machine gun case | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

100% Right coverage: 1 sources

A Phillips County man pleaded guilty Tuesday to three counts of possession of a machine gun, less than a year after he was released from prison for the same offense.Helena-West Helena · Helena-West Helena Read Article

Phillips County man ends standoff with SWAT team by fatally shooting himself | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

100% Right coverage: 1 sources

A man took his own life early Monday morning after a standoff with Arkansas State Police in Phillips County that began with a domestic violence call that left another person hospitalized, according to a news release from state police.Phillips County, Arkansas · Phillips County Read Article