LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today honored law enforcement officers from across Arkansas at the 2025 Officer of the Year Awards luncheon. At the conclusion of the event, Griffin issued the following statement: “The men and women we honored today are true heroes, and it is my distinct honor to recognize them for their outstanding service to their communities. These officers have distinguished themselves in the past year for their excellence and dedication. But this event isn’t just a celebration of their accomplishments, it’s also a celebration of all law enforcement officers and a way for us to say thank you to those who keep us safe each and every day.”
WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs today announced its intent to reorganize the management structure of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), with the goals of improving health care for Veterans, empowering local hospital directors, eliminating duplicative layers of bureaucracy and ensuring consistent application of VA policies across all department medical facilities.
Gene Howard Swarthout, 90, of Mountain Home, Arkansas, passed away on December 12, 2025, at Hospice of the Ozarks, located in Mountain Home. He was born on July 29, 1935, in Alma, New York, the son of Nathan Howard Swarthout and Norma Louise (Shear) Swarthout. Gene graduated from Allentown High School, the class of 1953. Following graduation, he served with the United States Army during the Korean era. In 1980, he married Deanna Mitchell. They recently just celebrated 36 years of marriage in July. Gene always maintained his membership with the American Legion Post #808 in Belmont, New York, and was member of Twin Lakes Baptist Church in Mountain Home, Arkansas for many years. Gene worked as a millwright and construction superintendent. For 30 years of his working career, Gene traveled with his job. He spent time in various states including two overseas locations, Indonesia and South America. Gene enjoyed elk hunting and fishing. He became an avid fisherman upon his retirement in 1999. He loved fishing both the white river and Norfork lake. Survivors are his wife; his sons: Randy of Belmont, New York, and Mike of Chino Balley, Arizona; daughters: Janet of Rochester, New York, and Pam Winterhalter of Angelica, New York; his grandsons, Dylan Winterhalter and Alex Winterhalter. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Betty Jane. We will miss his smile, his whit, his kindness – him. Arrangements are under the care of Diamond State Cremation located in Lead Hill, Arkansas. Condolences may be left at www.DiamondStateCremation.com
