River Valley Radio

Jennifer Pipes waited decades for the right idea to finally open a hobby-based business — and now Mode Mahjong and Hobby Studio is bringing people together around the table in Russellville.

Pipes has taught more than 300 people this year, and she says one of the best parts has been watching classmates turn into friends. Mode is now offering beginner classes, open play, special events and more as Pipes grows the business beyond mahjong into a broader hobby space.

River Valley Radio’s Misty Hale talks with Dardanelle Mayor Jimmy Witt about several changes and projects underway around the city.

Witt explains the new camera-based technology being installed at some of Dardanelle’s busiest stoplights — and why the cameras are not Flock cameras or license plate readers.

He also discusses a new sidewalk project along Quay Street, work underway on the city’s water tower, and an upcoming ARDOT public meeting on the planned widening of Highway 7 from the Arkansas River bridge to the Highway 22 intersection.

The conversation also touches on Dardanelle High School’s recent “A” school rating and other positive developments around the community

Johnny Story sits down with Leslie Walton from River Valley Food 4 Kids to talk about Foodstock 2026.

What began as a fundraiser to help fill backpacks with food for local children has grown into a free community celebration — and this year, Foodstock is marking its 10th anniversary.

River Valley Food 4 Kids will host Foodstock on Oct. 3 at Depot Park in downtown Russellville, bringing back family activities while raising money for programs that help children and families across Pope County.

Executive Director Leslie Walton told River Valley Radio’s Johnny Story that Foodstock originally started as a fundraiser for the organization’s backpack program, which now provides weekend food for between 1,000 and 1,200 children each week during the school year.

📚 Dardanelle High School is once again among a relatively small group of Arkansas high schools earning an A in the state’s latest school letter grades.

Dardanelle Primary also made a jump from a C to a B, while district leaders say the focus is on spreading the same high expectations and strong instructional practices across every campus.

Misty Hale talks with Superintendent Dr. Jamie Burris about student growth, supporting English learners and what goes into maintaining an A year after year.

Misty Hale and Aaron Thomas are back with a busy Monday edition of River Valley Radio’s Five O’Clock Drive Time News.

This episode brings new details on the Pottsville pursuit that prompted a school lockdown, an upcoming fundraiser for the Latimore Tourist Home, a gas main break and house fire in Russellville, and the return of Police Beat — complete with hitchhikers, flying aluminum on I-40 and a dump truck versus two power poles.

Also on the show: Arkansas Tech honors longtime band director Hal Cooper, Main Street Russellville looks ahead to the Downtown Fall Festival, six St. Mary’s nurses earn statewide recognition, and meteorologist Steve Hamilton looks at the possibility of some much-needed rain.

Then things get considerably less serious as Misty celebrates National Ask a Stupid Question Day, Aaron weighs in on the important vampire-versus-zombie debate, and they wrap up with celebrity and local birthdays.

A Russellville landmark is getting closer to a new chapter — and an upcoming auction could help push the restoration effort forward.

Friends of the Latimore Tourist Home is working toward another major preservation grant, but the group will need to raise matching funds first. An Art, Antiques & Collectibles auction Oct. 2-9 will help support that effort, with a preview night planned Oct. 6 at the historic home on South Houston Avenue.

The goal: keep restoring the former Green Book site and eventually open it for regular public use.

Listen to Johnny Story talk with Friends of the Latimore Tourist Home about the effort.

Misty Hale talks with Spencer Daniels, a bear specialist with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

The annual celebration will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, with live music, food, vendors, a car show, Civil War reenactments, free carriage rides, tours of the historic Potts Inn Museum and plenty of activities for kids.

Listen to Johnny Story talk with Jessie Young about the event's plan and purpose.

Butterfield Day celebrates Pottsville’s history and its connection to the historic Butterfield Overland Trail.

🏁 “General Lee is kind of a state of mind.”

John Schneider had plenty of stories to tell ahead of his return to the River Valley — from growing up going to small-town fairs and meeting heroes like Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty to The Dukes of Hazzard, his country music career and why General Lees tend to just show up wherever he goes.

And yes, he plans to find a corn dog while he’s here. 🌭

Schneider will meet fans from 1–4 p.m. Saturday at the Hughes Community Center before performing at the Pope County Fair at 8 p.m.

Music and interviews from the acts headlining the Pope County Fair in 2026.