Paragould Podcast

Former Police Chief JD Stevenson Talks About Some of the Wildest Cases He Worked as a Criminal Investigator

JD Stevenson got his start as a patrol officer for the Paragould Police Department in 1982. Two and a half years later, he joined the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) where he served for 18 years. He was appointed Chief of Police by Mayor Mike Gaskill in 2001, and he continued in that role until his retirement in 2009.

JD has some wild stories from his 3 decades of public service. In this episode of the Paragould Podcast, he gets into details about the murder of Dr. and Mrs. Jones, the false confession of Gary Goldsmith in an attempt to take the fall for Jackson Neely's crime, and a chilling story of busting a child abuser. You may want to listen to this episode more than once!

Owner of Herren Tire, Ivey Herren Jr. Joins Us to Talk About His Road to Addiction, Losing His Father, and the New Purpose He’s Found

Ivey Herren, Jr. is the 3rd generation owner of Herren Tire in Paragould, which was founded in 1968. Ivey grew up in a Christian home and went to school at CRA, but when his best friend died in a car accident in 2006, Ivey's life took a turn that led him to addiction.

His story of redemption is truly miraculous and will leave you believing that, "If your heart is still beating, you have a purpose."

Radiologist, Dr. Zeke Shotts, Talks About Bones, Tennis, and His Time at the Mayo Clinic

Dr. Zeke Shotts is a Paragould graduate and a Radiologist with St Bernards and Associated Radiologists. After earning his bachelor's degree at Arkansas State, Zeke attended med school at UAMS in Little Rock. From there, he finished his internship and residency at Emory University. He was also accepted to a program at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN where he spent 5 years before moving back to Northeast Arkansas.

When Addiction Hits Home: Roland Irwin and His Daughter, Brooke Smith Open Up About the Enslaving Power of Addiction

Roland Irwin has a PhD in clinical psychology and serves as the Associate Chief of Operations for Arisa Health. But despite his impressive resume, he was not immune to the horrors that addiction can unleash on a family. In this week's episode of the Paragould Podcast, Roland joins his daughter, Brooke, who has been in recovery for over 10 years now.

Brooke works with the Paragould Podcast and The Crossing Church and has an incredible story of redemption and restoration. You will be inspired and filled with hope as you listen to this father and daughter recount their struggles and celebrate their victories together. If you have ever struggled with addition or have loved someone who is, this episode is a must. 

Paragould Mayor Josh Agee Returns to Talk 2022 Progress and What’s in Store for 2023

Mayor Josh Agee returns for an annual update on the city of Paragould. In 2022, we saw the ribbon cutting for the new 8-Mile Creek Trail, the downtown Community Pavilion, the installation of Sky Cops, airport improvements and more.

As we look to 2023, there are even more ambitious projects to look forward to. Mayor Agee opens up about the partisan elections issue, which passed in November, and he gives some details on a land-use proposal known as "land banks." Stay informed and engaged by listening to this episode, and share it with others who care about our city.

Lieutenant of the Paragould Police Department’s Criminal Division, Detective Rhonda Thomas

Rhonda Thomas joins us this week on the Paragould Podcast! Rhonda is the Lieutenant of the Paragould Police Department's Criminal Division, and (according to many sources) is a superhero!

Rhonda has served with the PPD for 28 years and in the Criminal Division for the past 18, which means that she and her team work every felony case in the city of Paragould. In this interview, Rhonda talks about how she got into law enforcement and how she discovered her calling by investigating child abuse cases. This is a gripping and educational episode you'll want to listen to more than once.

Alexander Laffoon Talks About His Journey on the Pacific Crest Trail

Alexander Laffoon, along with his friend Trevor, recently hiked the Pacific Crest Trail--a 2,653 mile trail from the border of Mexico to the border of Canada. You'll hear about his encounters with bears and mountain lions, almost drowning in freezing water, and being surrounded by forest fires.

"Someday never happens. We love the adventure and seeing new places."

Executive Director of Main Street Paragould, Miranda Reynolds

Miranda Reynolds is the Executive Director of Main Street Paragould. Miranda is passionate about Downtown Paragould and excited about the direction we are headed. She was formerly a reporter with KAIT8 News in Jonesboro where she was regularly tracking positive news from Paragould and Greene County. Download and share this now!

Nathan Knight Joins Us to Talk About Launching His Photo and Video Company, Knight Productions

Nathan Knight is the owner of Knight Productions, and he is the youngest guest to date on the Paragould Podcast. With his team, Nathan is completing over 60 wedding films this year alone. You will be inspired by Nathan's story of quick success through hard work and focused passion. 

CEO of Arkansas Methodist Medical Center, Barry Davis

Barry Davis is the CEO of Arkansas Methodist Medical Center. With over 600 employees, AMMC is a vital part of our community and overall quality of life in Paragould. 

Barry has been with the hospital for over 42 years, and in that time, he has seen his fair share of obstacles. However, his biggest challenge came in 2016 when he was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer and told he had 6 months to live.

Mr. Davis's story is one you won't want to miss.