Citizen Argus: Brinkley newspaper woman Glenda Arnett recognized for her community service and charitable work

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William Clifton, took charge of the Brinkley newspaper in 1948 and ran it for more than 40 years with his daughter, Flora Jean Clifton Elledge, and her husband, Franklin Hoover Elledge. Clifton and his family also published the Monroe County Sun out of Clarendon. Clifton died in 1988, and his headstone is inscribed with the quotation: “He was a good newspaper man.”

After Clifton’s death, Flora Jean and Franklin Elledge ran the Argus for a few more years before retiring. In 1995, Katie Jacques and Thomas Jacques purchased the Brinkley Argus and the Monroe County Sun from the Elledges. Katie Jacques worked as the editor for the Argus, which was printed at the office of the Stuttgart Daily Leader

In 2007, the Jacqueses merged the Argus with the Monroe County Sun into the Central Delta Argus-Sun, which continued to cover major news but also focused on community news and memorable articles. The last edition of the Central Delta ArgusSun under that name was printed a day late in December 2016 due to a fire.

In 2017, the Jacqueses sold the Central Delta Argus-Sun to Hayden Taylor. Taylor was nineteen at the time he took charge of the newspper, making him one of the youngest newspaper owners in Arkansas and the United States at the time. Taylor renamed the paper the Monroe County Herald.

In late August 2022, Helena World owners Andrew Bagley and Chuck Davis purchased the Herald and rebranded the newspaper as the Monroe County Argus. Bagley said he is honored to work with Arnett, saying she has universal respect in the community and was deserving of being selected as Brinkley’s leading citizen.

“Glenda is an invaluable member of our team and definitely is an asset to the city of Brinkley. Words don’t adequately describe her impeccable character, work ethic and pure heart,” said Bagley. “I am fortunate to know her, and the Argus would not be where it is today without her efforts for the past 56 years.” Despite the recognition, Arnett joked now she didn’t have the honor of taking the photo of the Citizen of the Year award winner for 52 years straight. “I am used to being behind the camera and not in front of it,” she said.

Recognized numerous times by APA for her award-winning photography, Arnett said it has been difficult since her husband died in 2021 and dealing with isolation during the pandemic. However, one of her greatest joys is simply getting a call and people asking her to come to her event to take a photo and write a story.

“It has been a challenge for me to stay home. I love that people can call me and ask me to come out to their event and take pictures,” she said. “It is great meeting the public and visiting with them and going out and taking pictures and selling ads. I know it makes their day when they see their event in the newspaper.”

And from someone who began in the business most of her life, Arnett said she has seen many changes in the industry since she started work at the Argus right out of high school. The biggest impact on the industry, she said, has been the internet and digital technology.

“We used to have to go to press with everything printed using metal type set by the linotype. Then we changed over the computer and email and internet. It has changed a lot since I first started,” said Arnett.

But, Arnett has adapted to those changes and continues learning new things daily, she said. When asked about her future, the mother of three and grandmother and aunt of many said she has no plans to retire anytime soon.

“Once the ink gets in your blood, it is hard to get out,” she said.