Why did the golfer bring two pairs of pants?

In case he got a hole in one!

Visit the Belle Museum, a dedicated local history museum nestled in Charleston, Arkansas.

Open every Saturday, 10am - 1pm!

Founded by lifelong residents Delbert and Mary Belle Ervin, we celebrate the rich heritage of Charleston and Franklin County through a diverse collection of artifacts and family histories.

Embrace the past and learn about the stories that have shaped our beloved community!

Help keep our local history alive - click HERE to donate to the Belle Museum today!

Interested in advertising to our incredible readers?

Click here to Sponsor The 965 Beat!

Early Voting: Skip the Election Day Hustle

The March 3rd election is coming up fast. If you want to avoid the crowd at Sacred Heart Catholic Hall on Election Day, Early Voting is open now.

• Where: Charleston Courthouse

• When: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Monday–Friday) and 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Saturdays)

• Last Call: Early voting ends at 5:00 PM on Monday, March 2nd.

It takes five minutes. Go do the thing so you can spend your Tuesday at the house instead of in a line.

COLLECTING

• Clothes - men's, women's & children's clothes, coats, shoes, scarves, handbags, wallets, fashion accessories, belts, backpacks, etc.
• Household Textiles - bedding, comforters, blankets, sheets, towels, linen, tablecloths, curtains, pillows, etc.
• Small Household Goods - kitchen items (such as pots/pans, dishes, silverware, glasses, serving pieces, and handheld appliances), home decorative items, knick-knacks, toys, games, and small electronics
• Books & Media - paperback, hard cover - all genres **media needs to be boxed separeatelyno encyclopedias or text books

Please use bags for clothes and textiles and tightly pack boxes of small household goods. Separate books from household goods and media. All items must be clean and in sellable condition.

Donations can be dropped off at the following locations:

• Charleston Food Pantry - Thursdays 8am - 12pm
• Simmons Bank Charleston - Monday - Friday 8am - 4pm
• Shelter Insurance - Wednesday - Friday 8:30am - 4pm

Charleston Board of Education regular meeting scheduled

The Charleston Board of Education will hold a regular meeting Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. in the Dale Bumpers Fine Arts Professional Development Center. The agenda is as follows:

I. Call to order and establish a quorum

II. Consent agenda

III. Proposed policies

IV. 2020-21 preliminary audit findings

V. 2022-23 school calendar

VI. Textbook purchase

VII. COVID-19 update

VIII. Superintendent’s report

IX. Executive session

X. Adjournment

Bass Pro Shops is hiring over 150 full-time and part-time employees for their new Fort Smith location.

The outdoor retailer will host a two-day hiring event on March 4-5 for positions supporting fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities.

Applicants can apply online before attending the event.

The company offers employee benefits such as merchandise discounts, competitive wages, and insurance programs.

Bass Pro Shops has received national recognition and aims to better serve the Northwest Arkansas region with their new store.

Construction is ongoing, and the grand opening date is yet to be announced.

Secret Little Hack

Visit the Belle Museum for an inside look at the town's history and culture. 

Auto Advice from Charleston Auto Parts - Bumper to Bumper

So, when was the last time you checked all four of your tires? Or actually took a minute to check the pressure? Hey, it's Scott again from Charleston Auto Parts, and this time we’re diving into the world of tires!

You know how it goes: we hop in the car and zoom off to work, school, or wherever life takes us, but tires are absolutely vital for the safety of you, your family, and everyone else sharing the road. Now, you might be thinking, "My tires are only a year old; why should I check them?" Well, let me tell you, tires can wear out in all sorts of ways beyond just being “normal.”

Your vehicle's suspension system is like a complicated puzzle with many adjustment points for tire alignment. For example, if your toe is out, just picture yourself standing on one leg and moving your toe awkwardly inward or outward—it’s a weird feeling, right? That kind of misalignment can wear your shoes (or tires) unevenly. And trust me, you’re going to want to fix that!

Now, let's not forget about camber! If your tires are tilting inward or outward at the top, that’s a sign that parts might be wearing out. The best way to check what's going on is a visual inspection. Turn your front tires inward and outward, and take a look at the inside and outside of each tire. You’ll be able to spot any wear and see how much tread you have left. If the wear isn’t consistent across the tire, it’s time to investigate further—something might be worn out, or your car may need an alignment.

Speaking of alignment, you might be wondering where to find this magical service—does Charleston even have an alignment shop? You’d be surprised! Hug Chevy/GMC boasts a fantastic alignment machine and offers alignments right here in Charleston!

So far, we’ve talked about how to visually inspect your tires and determine if any parts need replacing, and we’ve discussed the alignment process. But what if you discover you need new tires? Well, you’re in luck! We have two great shops in town that sell tires: Hug Chevy/GMC and Dale's Fina can help you get exactly what you’re looking for! Just give them a call, and they’ll take care of you!

In these articles, we love highlighting local businesses—not just because they’re local, but because each of these companies reinvests in our community. But that’s a topic for another day. Thanks for reading, and don’t forget to check your oil!

-Scott Robins

County Line Schools now accepting School Choice applications

County Line School District is now accepting applications for students wishing to participate in the School Choice program during the 2022-23 school year. The program allows parents to apply for their child’s admission to participating school districts other than the one in which they reside.

Applications may be picked up at the school or downloaded from the school website. Completed applications should be returned to County Line Public Schools, 12092 W. State Hwy 22 Branch, AR 72928 no later than May 1. For more information, call 479-635-2222.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

BEGINNING FEBRUARY 3 2026
Afternoon dismissal and buses will run 5 minutes later than the original schedule. The adjusted dismissal time will make up instructional time missed due to inclement weather.

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 24 2026
Adult Book Club

Charleston Public Library

10am

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 24 2026
Parent/Teacher Conferences

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 26 2026
Charleston Chamber Ribbon Cutting
105 S Logan St
3pm - 5pm

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26 2026
Pokemon Party

Games, Crafts, Catch 'em All, and more
Charleston Public Library
3pm - 5pm

MARCH 23-27 2026
Spring Break

WEDNESDAY MARCH 11 2026
Charleston Chamber Luncheon

Grow Smarter: Social Media Strategies that Deliver Results
The Gathering Place
12:00pm

THURSDAY APRIL 2 2026
Pre-K & Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten: 8:30am - 6:30pm
Pre-K: 2:30pm - 6:30pm

FRIDAY APRIL 3 2026
Good Friday
No School

SATURDAY APRIL 11 2026
Charleston Chamber Banquet
An Evening in Boom at the White Rose Venue
Contact the Chamber for Tickets

SATURDAY APRIL 11 2026
First Farmers Market
Courthouse Lawn

8am - 12pm
2nd & 4th Saturday Through October

SATURDAY APRIL 18 2026
Ministerial Alliance: Father & Daughter Dance
Charleston Community Center
6:00pm

SATURDAY MAY 17 2026
Charleston Cruise Night
Main Street
5pm - 9pm

FRIDAY MAY 22 2026
Last Day of School
Dismiss at 1:00pm

MONDAY MAY 25 2026
Memorial Day

FIRST THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH
City Council Meeting
Charleston City Hall

Open to the Public
5:30pm

FIRST SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH
City Dumpsters Open
Truck Load: $20
Trailer Load: $30
8am - 12pm

2nd & 3rd MONDAY EVERY MONTH
Volunteer Fireman Meeting
Attend if you're interested in becoming a voluteer firefighter

Charleston Fire Station
1303 E Main St
6:30pm

EVERY WEDNESDAY
Storytime
Charleston Public Library

10am

EVERY THURSDAY
Charleston Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry

322 S Rattlesnake Rd

9am - 12pm

Drop-in & Paint

Crafted Artisan

1pm - 4pm

EVERY FRDAY
Clay Hand-Building
Crafted Artisan

1pm - 4pm

EVERY SATURDAY
Drop-in & Paint
Crafted Artisan

10am

Charleston Senior Activity Center

February 2026 Calendar

The Charleston Food Pantry is Currently 

in Need of the Following Items:

Donations can be dropped off at the Food Pantry on Thursdays from 8am - 12pm or at Simmons Bank Mon-Fri from 8am - 4pm. Monetary donations are welcome and appreciated.