The meeting in its entirety can be seen below the photos accompanying this story when it finishes processing.

County Judge Jerry Crane addressed the justices of the peace and members of the public before adjournment about weather readiness. Crane urged the Justices of the Peace to take the lead in their own communities by encouraging residents to prepare in advance rather than waiting until conditions deteriorate.

Crane told the court that severe winter weather often exposes gaps in personal readiness, leaving people without water, power, or a plan for assisting family members and neighbors. He encouraged residents to begin simple preparations immediately, such as storing water, securing lighting sources, and, during and after the storm, checking on elderly or vulnerable neighbors. Crane said that too often storms arrive and residents are left scrambling, unsure of what steps to take once conditions worsen.

Crane said preparation is not solely a county responsibility but a shared obligation among individuals, families, and communities. He said justices of the peace, who represent districts across the county, are in a position to help spread that message and reinforce the importance of neighbors helping neighbors before and during severe weather.

Crane also indicated that county officials are making preparations behind the scenes, including plans for warming centers and coordination with local resources, though he said details about the locations of the warming centers would be shared only once arrangements are finalized. He noted that while the county can request assistance or emergency declarations if needed, the effectiveness of any response ultimately depends on local preparedness.  He said Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ declaration earlier Thursday of a state-wide emergency would be helpful.

Later in the meeting, Sylvia Brown, president of the Hempstead County NAACP and a resident of Fulton, addressed the court with questions about emergency preparedness in smaller municipalities.

Brown referred to the governor’s emergency declaration and asked whether similar action was being considered at the county level. She also raised concerns stemming from Winter Storm Uri in 2021, particularly regarding water systems and infrastructure in small towns, especially Fulton, and asked what support the county could provide to municipalities in advance of severe weather.

In response, Crane said the county could request an emergency declaration if circumstances warrant but cautioned that approval is not guaranteed. He stressed that each community must take responsibility for its own preparedness, including protecting water sources and critical infrastructure.

Crane said the county can request resources and assistance but emphasized that mayors and local officials must work within their communities to address vulnerabilities. He acknowledged the challenges faced during past winter storms and said the county is making preparations, including plans to provide places for residents to stay warm if necessary.

The court also heard what Sheriff James Singleton described as his final annual report to the quorum court, marking the conclusion of his 16-year tenure as Hempstead County sheriff and a 48-year career in law enforcement.

Singleton began his report by thanking the members of the quorum court and other county officials for their support over the past decade and a half. He said cooperation between the sheriff’s office and the court had been essential in meeting the challenges faced by law enforcement and in moving the agency forward.

Calling his service as sheriff one of the greatest honors of his life, Singleton encouraged the court to extend the same level of cooperation to his successor, noting that strong relationships between elected officials and law enforcement are critical to public safety. He said the next sheriff will face a “mountain of challenges” as law enforcement continues to evolve.

Singleton then summarized activity within the sheriff’s office during 2025, highlighting key statistics rather than reading the full written report provided to court members. He reported that the sheriff’s office handled 3,102 calls for service during the year and conducted approximately 14,185 traffic stops.

Courthouse security was a significant focus of the report. Singleton said security officers screened everyone entering the courthouse, accounting for 29,862 English-speaking visitors and 5,378 non-English-speaking visitors who required some level of translation assistance. In total, 35,240 people passed through courthouse security during 2025.

He reported that security officers confiscated or turned away 1,088 firearms and required approximately 17,484 visitors to the court sessions to return cell phones to their vehicles before entering the building.

In terms of enforcement activity this past year, Singleton said deputies made 279 adult arrests and issued 59 summonses. Deputies assisted citizens in 185 cases, ranging from disabled vehicles to other non-criminal needs. The sheriff’s office served 910 civil process papers and entered 15,128 warrants, serving 11,197 of them. The office also conducted 38 death investigations in coordination with the coroner.

Singleton reviewed crime statistics reported to the FBI, reviewing trends over the past five years. He noted increases in certain categories, including rape and aggravated assault, while emphasizing that the county recorded one homicide in 2024 and none in 2025. He said the data illustrates trends the department continues to monitor closely.

The sheriff reported that 927 victims of crime were identified in 2025, along with 1,237 offenders. He expressed concern over the low number of witnesses willing to provide statements, noting that only 44 witnesses came forward in cases where statements were sought. Singleton said the lack of witness cooperation presents a significant challenge for successful prosecution.

Training was another area highlighted in the report. Singleton said all deputies completed state-mandated annual training, including instruction on racial profiling, use of deadly force, and duty to intervene. Deputies logged a total of 834 training hours during the year.

The patrol division operated 14 patrol vehicles, with 10 assigned to full-time deputies and four to part-time deputies. Singleton said patrol units logged more than 297,000 miles responding to calls across the county.

Jail operations and inmate statistics formed a substantial portion of the report. Singleton said 1,023 individuals were booked into the Hempstead County jail in 2025. Of those, 882 bookings—more than 86 percent—were made by the sheriff’s office. The Hope Police Department accounted for 96 bookings, while state police, highway police, and other agencies made up the remainder.

Singleton discussed recidivism, noting that some inmates were booked multiple times throughout the year. He said one inmate was booked 17 times.

The average daily jail population in 2025 was 69 inmates, with a high of 100 and a low of 53. Singleton said that as of the day before the meeting, dozens of inmates were awaiting transfer to the Arkansas Department of Corrections.

Mental health commitments were among the most serious concerns raised in the report and discussed by Singleton, who said the county jail held 30 individuals under mental commitment in 2025, many of whom remained incarcerated for extended periods while waiting for placement in a state hospital.

He provided specific examples, including a 35-year-old man who spent 498 days in jail before being accepted into the state hospital and a woman who had been incarcerated for more than 250 days awaiting placement. Singleton said county jails are not equipped or designed to house mentally ill patients for such extended periods.  They often are without their medications and do not receive therapy during their stays.

Singleton described the strain these cases place on detention officers, citing hazardous working conditions and health risks. He said the lack of available treatment options and prolonged incarceration of mentally ill individuals is a problem faced by sheriffs across Arkansas.

He told the court that he had written to Governor Sanders regarding the issue and providing specific examples from Hempstead County. Singleton said some progress had been made but described the situation as one of the most pressing challenges for the future.

The sheriff also discussed facility concerns at the county jail, which opened in 1994. He said the building has experienced repeated structural and mechanical issues over the years, including roof replacements, failing HVAC units, and a major flooding incident that forced the temporary closure of the jail and cost more than $500,000 in repairs.

Singleton warned that the county may eventually need to plan for a new detention facility, citing ongoing maintenance problems and the age of the current structure.

He concluded by outlining broader challenges facing the sheriff’s office, including recruitment and retention of deputies and detention officers, competitive pay, training costs, and the need for modern equipment. Singleton said Hempstead County’s size—more than 741 square miles—combined with the number of highways and unincorporated communities, places heavy demands on the sheriff’s office.

Following the sheriff’s report, the quorum court turned to county business, including the passage of two ordinances read by County Clerk Karen Smith.

The first ordinance established the regular meeting time and date for the Hempstead County Quorum Court. The court approved setting the regular monthly meeting for the fourth Thursday of each month at 4:30 p.m. in the large courtroom of the Hempstead County Courthouse. The ordinance repealed any conflicting ordinances and took effect immediately upon passage and approval.

The second ordinance addressed the distribution of district court monies from the City of Hope, aligning county policy with Act 371 of 2025. The ordinance set percentages for the distribution of funds, allocating 42 percent to County General, 34 percent to victim witness programs, 22 percent to the public defender, and 1 percent each to the district court and law library.  Smith said the adjusted percentages were intended to bolster funding for victim witness services and the public defender.

Earlier in the meeting, Courtney McNiel, director of the Hempstead County Library, appeared before the court to provide an overview of library operations and services, outlining both daily functions and long-term trends. McNiel said the library is open six days a week and continues to serve as a countywide resource. 

She told the JPs, “I have a wonderful staff,” specifically noting Assistant Director Haley Barnes, who has been in her current role since May. McNiel said Barnes “has been such a great addition to the team,” along with longtime employees Vera Jackson and Wanda Whitley, and several part-time workers who balance their schedules with high school and college coursework.

McNiel described a broad range of services offered by the library, including a collection of approximately 35,000 books and movies, public computers, wireless internet access, and a community meeting space used by local groups. “We have around 35,000 books and movies at the library,” she said, adding that the collection is reviewed and reduced as needed. 

McNiel explained that the library “weeds through regularly, which is a library term,” with removed materials sold or donated to organizations such as Hope Haven and the sheltered workshop. She said residents also use the library to apply for jobs, send emails, and handle basic document needs, noting, “We have four public computers where folks can come in and use them.”

Youth programming and community engagement remain a major focus of the library’s work, McNiel told the court. “Kids have always been very important to me,” she said, before outlining activities such as holiday programs, costume contests, and art competitions. She said summer programming is the library’s largest outreach effort and has evolved over time. 

“People don’t want to drive from their houses with two-dollar-a-gallon gas and listen to me read a book,” McNiel said. “They want to see something that’s fun.” She said the library now brings in performers and interactive programs to keep children and families engaged and connected to the library.

McNiel also reported steady growth in the library’s digital offerings, which include e-books, audiobooks, and magazines available around the clock. “We’ve had e-books since 2011,” she said, noting a consistent increase in usage. McNiel told the court digital checkouts rose from 9,870 in 2023 to more than 11,000 in 2024, and exceeded 13,000 in 2025. 

She also explained that library operations are governed by state law, saying, “Libraries are governed by the Arkansas Public Library laws,” which earmark millage funding specifically for library use. McNiel added that the department is financially stable, telling the court, “We’re probably one of the few departments in the county that won’t come to you and ask for money.”

The meeting concluded with an announcement from Terrie James, Hempstead County Extension Office staff chair. James said the extension office would present its annual update during the February 4 community coffee event at the Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce rather than delivering a formal presentation to the quorum court.

James noted that 2026 marks 110 years since the first home demonstration agent was assigned to Hempstead County in 1916. She reflected on how extension work has evolved since that time and said the upcoming event would highlight current programs and plans for the coming year, with participation from master gardeners, extension homemakers, and 4-H representatives.

Before adjourning, officials reminded court members of upcoming deadlines, including the requirement to file statements of financial interest by early February. The meeting closed with additional reminders for residents to remain vigilant and prepared as winter weather approaches.

This story was written with the assistance of ChatGPT.