Darrell Spells, RP Contributor
The Hackett Police Department recently hosted Instructor Development training at the Hackett Fire Department Community Center.
Numerous departments were represented including Sebastian County Sheriffs Office, Waldron Police Department, and Huntington PD.
Officers learned skills to incorporate in future classes that they will be certified to teach.
“There’s a wealth of knowledge among these officers. Speaking in front of people can sometimes be nerve racking, but these officers were very comfortable. They’re great assets to their respective departments. Hopefully the training they received this week will benefit those departments”, Hackett Police Chief Spells said.
Officers were able to display their teaching skills on such topics as Sovereign Citizens, K9 training, and Interviewing techniques.
Hackett Police Department hosts Instructor Development Class
Illness and Inexperience Slow MHS Indoor Team
MHS Track seniors take a final picture (above) at the indoor state finals. Pictured (Left to Right) are Eden Jones, Whittney Clark, Coach John Mackey, Makiah Holmes, and Fayth Schwartz. (Not pictured are seniors Audrey Walker and Makayla Bolton.)
Mansfield’s much heralded women’s track and field team came closer to the pack than it had in over a decade. Slowed by untimely ills and youthful inexperience, the MHS Indoor Track team fell on uneven times at the 2017 ATCA Championships back on February 3.
Uncharacteristically, the Mansfield Lady Tigers did not finish in the top ten for the first time since it began going to the indoor track finals back in 2003. This year the unit fell all the way back to number 24.
Competing in the combined classification of 1A through 4A, it was the bigger schools that dominated the field. Five of the top six teams were from the 4A ranks including winner Joe T. Robinson and runner-up Crossett.
Those two track powers defeated the only class 3A schools in the top ten. The class 3A schools making the top ten included third place Genoa Central, the defending state champions, and ninth place Greenland.
Conway Christian was tenth place overall. It was the only class 2A school to crack the lofty position.
“Our most valuable player off of last year’s team got extremely sick the week of state,” said veteran coach John Mackey. “Audrey Walker was our 2016 Player of the Year and targeted for a full schedule of events. She just couldn’t get well and had to miss her last indoor meet. I feel bad for her and her teammates. Audrey simply breaths track and field.”
What Mansfield did carry to the meet in the way of players was a roster full of sophomores and freshmen. Twelve of the 18 Lady Tigers in competition were in those lower two grades. Only five seniors made the trip and one of those was a first timer.
Mansfield did have its moments as junior Megan Rose shined the brightest with 3 personal records over her three event slate.
“Megan (Rose) is our strongest distance runner and the 2016 Cross Country Player of the Year,” expressed Mackey. “She came into this meet near the top of her game. She ran personal records along the 800m, 1600m, and 3200m distances. She’s a real talent. We’re excited for her outdoor season.”
Rose was one of nine Lady Tigers to bring home a medal. The others included seniors Whittney Clark, Eden Jones, and Fayth Schwartz, sophomores Alyssa Berry, Brooklyn Carlton, and Riley Shoell, and freshmen Delilah McKusker and Lennon Woods.
Rose went 2:46 as the opening leg of the 4x800m relay. Later, she knocked of a 6:17 pace in the 1600m run then rolled off a 13:23 clocking in the 3200m run. Her indoor medal was as a member of the distance relay team.
The junior All-Star athlete was joined by Berry, McKusker, and Woods on the 4x800m team. Collectively the squad was timed for an eighth place 12:14.13 showing.
Seniors Eden Jones and Walker were medalist off that unit in past seasons. So was junior Corrina Wesley.
Jones was participating in her first competition since last spring after a leg injury derailed her of a fall workout schedule. She was held out of the relay because of its direct conflict with the high jump.
Wesley was held out because of a priority move to compete at the triple and long jump pits.
“Our younger girls held their own,” commented Mackey. “I’m proud the freshmen were able to complete that team and get a medal at their first indoor finals.”
Jones and Clark joined Carlton and Shoell as part of the medal winning 4x400m relay. The two seniors bookended the sophomore duo as the four piece orchestra rang home in a fifth place 4:55.41.
“This was Brooklyn’s second time to medal at an indoor finals,” noted the coach. “She was one of two sophomores to do so this season.”
Another sophomore that was close at a medal award was Rylea Weaver. The tenth grade shot put specialist threw a distance just outside the top eight. Her 29’ 9” toss was marked into ninth position.
Senior Fayth Schwartz set a personal record in her pole vault event for a seventh place medal. The vertical specialist went 8’ 0” for the award.
Fellow senior Makiah Holmes was left off the medal stand in a close race in the hurdles. Holmes went 10.97 over the five barrier 60 meter event. Last season that would have easily landed among the top eight. This year the mark was 0.15 away from the final medal.
Others competing for Mansfield included: Makayla Bolton in the sprints, Haylee Buckner in the high jump, Macy Davis in the hurdles, Emily Parish in the pole vault, Allie Willsey in the triple jump, and Jessie George in the 1600m run.
Obituary – Jeffery Davis (1971 – 2017)
Jeffery Lane Davis of Barling, Arkansas, formerly of Waldron, Arkansas passed from this life, Saturday, February 11, 2017 in Fort Smith, Arkansas surrounded by his loving family. Jeff was born November 6, 1971 in Sumter, South Carolina to Jackie Faye and Richard Paul Davis. Jeff was 45 years old.
Jeff had formerly worked at Tyson Foods. He enjoyed video games and hanging out with friends and family.
Jeff leaves behind to cherish his memory, his father, Richard of Waldron, Arkansas, three brothers, Bryan Davis and wife Gina of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Mark Davis of Waldron, Arkansas, Gerald Davis and Wife Sarah of Fort Smith, Arkansas and two sisters, Suzette Hunt and husband Harold and Tammy Davis both of Waldron, Arkansas. Jeff is also survived by one aunt and uncle Glenda and Bobby Godfrey of Inman, South Carolina. Jeff will be missed by all that knew him and the many whose lives were impacted by him including a host of nieces, nephews, friends and loved ones.
Jeff is preceded in death by his mother, Jackie F. Davis, and two brothers, Richard Davis Jr. and Eric Davis.
Jeff’s graveside life celebration will be at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at the Carolan Cemetery near Booneville, Arkansas. Interment will follow. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
You may leave words of remembrance for Jeff’s family by visiting: www.heritagememorialfh.com.
Mansfield Tiger Football Serves Up Spaghetti
The Mansfield / Huntington Chamber of Commerce held a benefit Spaghetti supper this past Saturday night at the Mansfield Senior Citizens Center that supported the Dixie Theater project.
Bluegrass Band, “Just Us” performed for the attendees with their amazing abilities, and sounds.
Mansfield Tiger Football team was on hand to serve the community, waiting tables, and assisted in various efforts showing their dedication, and appreciation for their hometown.
Mansfield Football Head Coach, Craig Bentley stated “It was a great opportunity for the football team to give back to our great community.”
HELP WANTED – Strategic Construction Services
Local contractor looking for qualified applicants with experience in the following areas
Commercial and industrial construction, Concrete forming, placement and removal, wood and metal wall construction, PEMB erection, and cutting and welding, as well as a variety of associated skills.
Send resume (or a description of skills and experience) to THIS EMAIL
Waldron Chamber of Commerce – February
Waldron Area Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting
February 8, 2017
| Meeting called by | Chad Owens |
| Type of meeting | Board Meeting |
| Facilitator | Chad Owens, Chamber President |
| Attendees | Connie Owens, Chad Owens, Mike Faber, Misty Owens, Liz Horn, Paige Cupit, Heather Hale, Shelly Buckles and Darlynda Tallmadge Absent: Claudie Pierce and Cristal Moore. |
| 12:00PM | Welcome…………………………………………………………………………….. Chad Owens |
| Welcome | New Board Members Heather Hale and Paige Cupit. President asked if we could add an additional member to the board. Marsha Nelson with Walmart has expressed an interest in serving on the Board. All board members present voted to extend Marsha an offer to join the board. |
| Scholarships | Chamber Scholarship applications are available at the High School. Deadline for application is March 31st. Liz will start running an add each week and Chad will contact the school to see if he can be allowed to speak to the graduating seniors and tell them about the scholarship. |
| Chamber Banquet | Date is scheduled for April 20th. Auditions will be at the school on April 6th beginning at 5PM. Juanita has been contacted about cooking. Menu is Fried Chicken, green beans mashed potatoes and gravy with salad and rolls. Dessert is chocolate cake with strawberries. Mr. Wilcox FFA group has agreed to serve again. We will continue with the star theme using the décor from last year. The entry form has been placed at the school and all the banks in town. It has also been placed on the website so that interested parties can download from there. |
| New Business | Mike Faber has volunteered to contact the local steakhouse and schedule a ribbon cutting. |
| Website | GoDaddy account is due and we need to pay. $119.00 The website is looking good everyone should check it out. Links are set up to our Chamber Members. We need to add some artwork and photos so I really need everyone to send pictures of any events they may have attended. Liz if you could send Connie some of the photos that were used for the magazine and of past ribbon cuttings that would be great. |
| Trade Days | Last year we split up the responsibility of Trade Days and we need to do that again this year. The schedule will be as follows: March – Shelly, April – Chad, May – Paige, June- Liz, July- Mike, August- Darlynda, September-Heather, October-Misty, November-Cristal and Shelly, December – All. Also, Eddie Phelps has spoken to the newspaper and sent several emails about Trade Days and the months of December, January and February along with recommending a speaker for one of our business meetings. Next Month the speaker with be Tammy Sherrill sharing an idea of a community project we can get behind. The board voted that since Trade Days had been created to bring people from the community together downtown, we didn’t need to try to facility indoor accommodations during December, January and February. The Board does not have access to any buildings and would not want to be held liable for any damage done to an indoor facility if the event was held indoors. Chad will speak to Eddie Phelps and Liz will provide the contact information on the individual that Eddie is recommending to come and speak at a business meeting. |
| Shirts & Signs | Heather Hale, Paige Cupit and Marsha Nelson will all need Chamber shirts. Those have been ordered. We really need to get updated photos of our board and would like to do that once we all have a shirt. A photo will be planned once the shirts come in. These shirts should be worn whenever we work Trade Days, go to a Ribbon Cuttings and to the Chamber Banquet. Trade Day signs are dwindling. The signs are $17 each for up to 9 or $13 each for 10-19 or $11 each for 20-49 with an additional $1 for the wire stakes. The Board voted to get 10 more signs made at this time. |
| Invoices | We have around 80 businesses that have paid Chamber dues in the past but have not paid dues for this year. We need to meet with these businesses to determine if they are interested in continuing their membership. Each Board Member has taken invoices and will meet with businesses over the next two weeks. There are more benefits to being a part of the Chamber now, businesses are listed on the site and visitors can click on the business and go directly to the business page. Paige agreed to visit any businesses that others were not able to speak with to see if she could assist with the membership drive. |
| Close | 1:00 |
MES Good Citizens of the Month – January
Mansfield Elementary School Word of the month for January: Self-Control
Back Row: Xena Lasavath, Madison Bark, Caydence Moore, Rachel Shaw, Keyton Oliver
2nd row: Addison Howard, Braxton Turnipseed, Daisy Nelson and Drake Brunson
Front Row: Jayden Elmore, Serena Williams, Hannah Elmore, Brennen Neel
MES Good Citizens of the Month – December
Mansfield Elementary School Word of the month for December: Kindness
Back row: Austin Ruiz, Winston Allison, Abby Jessen, James Bausley and Chloe Beran
3rd Row: Bella Graham, Blaine Berry, Chloe Hattabaugh, Clayton Garrison, and Whitley Boyd
2nd Row: Dylan West, Madilyn Henderson, Kasen Clay, Michael Gilmore
Front: Dakota West, Caden Elmore, Khloee O’Kelley
Letter Questions Mansfield Mayor about MVFD Funds
The following letter was recently sent to the attention of Mansfield Mayor, Larry Austin, and copied to the Mansfield City Council members, Mansfield City Recorder/Treasurer, and news sources on January 30, 2017. The letter is displayed below.
In a call to Mayor Austin (Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017 at 10:47am) when RP asked for a comment, he stated “I’m not aware of any letter, Thanks.” and ended the phone call.
However, we did speak with a council member who stated, “This has been an ongoing concern, which will cause insurance rates to go up for those in the coverage area, and that is unacceptable.”
Referencing the concerned citizen’s perspective in regards to the current state of the Fire Department finances, and vehicles, the Mansfield City Council – January (Link to original article) meeting referenced these issues, but the focus of that meeting seemed to be centered around the progress of the walking trail in Mansfield City Park.
It would seem that the walking trail, and its progress would be a mute point when it comes to the funding, and needed repairs of the Mansfield Volunteer Fire Department. The members of our community who rely on the efforts of that department in the event of an emergency deserve more, as do the members of the department.
(Image courtesy of Mansfield VFD Facebook)
Early Morning House Fire in Waldron is a TOTAL Loss
Early this morning, a house was totally consumed by a fire on Jones Creek Road in Waldron, Arkansas.
At the time of publishing, the cause is still unknown.
The family is In need of little girls clothing size 5/6, and size 13 shoes, Men’s 33×34, large shirt, and size 11 shoe, Women’s 28 pants, s/m shirt and size 7 shoes.
Items can be dropped off at Waldron City Hall, or Waldron Physical Therapy on 2nd Street!